A week ago, their international paths looked entirely blockaded. Today, they are on the verge of storming back into the green and gold.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has been hit with a massive luxury-turned-nightmare injury crisis at scrumhalf. With Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, and Jaden Hendrikse all stuck in the medical room, the Springbok No. 9 jersey department has been blown wide open ahead of the 2026 Test season.
While Sharks speedster Grant Williams is a absolute lock for the squad, Erasmus traditionally carries three specialist halfbacks. This sudden vacuum has cleared a spectacular runway for an iconic veteran’s last dance and a red-hot maestro’s historic eight-year redemption arc.
The Last Dance: Faf de Klerk’s Ultimate Comeback
This time last year, pundits and fans openly wrote the obituary for Faf de Klerk’s international career. The 34-year-old double World Cup winner was systematically phased out during the 2025 season, falling completely behind Reinach and Van den Berg. He didn’t touch the field during the Rugby Championship or the End-of-Year European Tour.
Yet, form is temporary, and world-class big-match temperament is permanent. Having returned to South African soil, the 60-cap veteran has been officially fast-tracked into the preliminary Springbok squad. With a depleted engine room, Faf’s defensive grit, tactical kicking box, and fearless competitive fire are suddenly indispensable assets for Rassie’s planning.
Door Kicked Down: Embrose Papier’s 8-Year Redemption
If Faf is the voice of experience, Bulls dynamo Embrose Papier is the undisputed currency of red-hot form. Papier hasn’t pulled on a Springbok jersey since 2018—a staggering eight-year exile that is finally about to shatter.
Papier hasn’t just knocked on Rassie’s door; he has completely demolished it. The electric halfback was just crowned the South African United Rugby Championship (URC) Player of the Season after stringing together a breathtaking campaign for Loftus Versfeld.
EMBROSE PAPIER’S RED-HOT URC SEASON BY THE NUMBERS
Award: South African URC Player of the Season
Tries Scored: 11 (Joint top-scorer in the entire competition)
Next Stop: The URC Grand Final vs Leinster at Croke Park (Dublin)
With his world-class sniping pace, brilliant supporting lines, and unmatched confidence, Papier was already being demanded by fans before the injury wave hit. Now, he stands as an un-droppable force poised to reclaim his international destiny.
