Embrose Papier will not feature in the Springbok squad for the forthcoming matches against Argentina and New Zealand, with Rassie Erasmus opting to retain Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams whilst recalling the fit-again Morne van den Berg. Herschel Jantjies, who made his first appearance for the side since 2023 off the bench against Wales, also remains in the group.
The Bulls scrum-half had earned a recall to the national squad after consistent performances for the Pretoria-based side, starting against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld in round two of the Nations Championship. That cameo represented his only opportunity during the July international window.
Speaking on the Talking Boks podcast, former Springbok coach Nick Mallett suggested the decision centred on breakdown speed rather than individual pace. "Embrose doesn't require wiele in his legs – he is as fast as they come," Mallett said. "The gap opens up, and he scores the most outrageous tries a bit like Reinach; the two of them have got that out-and-out pace, but it's more the speed to the breakdown and the speed with which they clear the ball from the breakdown."
Mallett noted the impact Jantjies made when introduced against Wales in Durban. "It was really noticeable when Jantjies came on the field how rapidly he got to that breakdown ball, and the ball was being passed," he said. "But the rhythm of our ruck just increased."
Erasmus had explained after the Scotland match that he made several early changes, including the removal of Papier, because the team was lacking wiele, with Williams lifting the tempo in the second half.