Embrose Papier is set to make his first Test start since 2018 when he partners Handré Pollard against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in the Nations Championship (kickoff 5.40pm), and the scrumhalf says he is eager to translate their Bulls combination onto the Test stage.
"We've spent a lot of time together on the pitch for the Bulls, and I'm just really excited to go into this game with him," Papier said. "But we know it's going to be a challenge for us. It's a different calling in the Springbok environment, and we've just got to pitch up and give our all on the day."
Papier, who holds seven caps, acknowledged the work still ahead of him. "It's exciting to be back, but I still need to grow and work hard to earn my place here. It's all about putting the team first."
Rassie Erasmus explained that Papier's consistent form for the Bulls this season was the primary driver behind the recall, noting that his earlier Test opportunities were limited not by ability but by the depth of quality nines available during the World Cup cycles involving Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach and Jaden Hendrikse.
"I think none of us can look past the fact that he played well this year, and then obviously there are some injured players and some guys who lost form, and he gathered form," Erasmus said. "He gets the opportunity at home with Handré, where he's played a lot of rugby, so hopefully that helps him."
Erasmus also addressed Scotland's 47-38 defeat of Argentina last weekend, making clear it had no bearing on selection. "This team wasn't picked for reasons surrounding Scotland. It was picked for us to make sure that when we go to the World Cup next year we know who can do what, when and how." He did, however, acknowledge the task ahead: "Scotland played really well against Argentina and are obviously a good team. They beat England in the Six Nations, so if you go by those results, this weekend's match will probably be tougher than last weekend's."