There are few better storytellers than rugby. Eight years after making his first Springbok start against Scotland on a wet Murrayfield evening, Embrose Papier is preparing to face the same opponents again. This time, the stage is Loftus Versfeld. The jersey still carries the same weight. The man wearing it has changed completely.
The Clanwilliam-born scrumhalf returns to the Springbok starting line-up carrying far more than seven Test caps. He brings eight seasons of perseverance, frustration and relentless self-belief after watching South Africa conquer the rugby world from the outside.
When Papier burst onto the international scene in 2018 as a fearless 21-year-old, he appeared destined to become the Boks’ long-term No 9. Rugby, however, had other ideas.
A conveyor belt of elite scrumhalves, including Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach and Jaden Hendrikse, kept the Bulls playmaker waiting while the Springboks collected back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.
Instead of fading into the background, Papier rebuilt his game.
His outstanding United Rugby Championship campaign left Rassie Erasmus with little choice. Twelve tries, six assists, 15 clean breaks, 27 defenders beaten and more than 500 metres gained transformed him from an outside contender into an irresistible selection.
The timing could hardly be more fitting.
Papier will reunite with Handre Pollard, his halfback partner on that memorable Murrayfield night when South Africa defeated Scotland 26-20.
“I think there are always nerves before a Test match, but I’m super excited for the opportunity,” Papier said this week.
“We all know Handre has a lot of experience. We’ve spent a lot of time together on the pitch and I’m excited to go into this game with him.
“We need to pitch up on the day and give it everything.”
His familiarity with Scotland stretches beyond international rugby.
After five United Rugby Championship seasons with the Bulls, Papier knows many of Scotland’s players through bruising encounters with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh. He even crossed for a crucial try against Glasgow in last season’s URC semi-final.
For Erasmus, the recall is built on form rather than sentiment.
“Firstly, I thought he played really well this season,” the Springbok coach said.
“Sometimes it’s not because the player is not playing well enough or is not Springbok class. There are other players performing really well.
“He gathered form and now gets the opportunity at home with Handre, where they’ve played a lot of rugby.”
Paper occasionally writes the perfect ending.
Papier still has to do that himself.
Saturday offers more than another Test appearance. It is an opportunity to show that careers are rarely defined by the doors that close, but by the courage to keep knocking until one opens again.
