Rassie: Papier Still in All Blacks Series Frame 2026

Embrose Papier's omission from the 44-man Springbok squad for next Saturday's Test against Argentina raised eyebrows — but Rassie Erasmus wants to be clear: the door has not closed on the Bulls scrumhalf. Not even slightly.

Erasmus Explains Papier Selection Decision

Papier was conspicuous by his absence after a composed performance against Scotland in the Nations Championship, where the 29-year-old looked every bit the player pushing for a Test starting berth. But Erasmus says the call was never about form or confidence. It was arithmetic.

"We have to get game time into Krappie [Morné van den Berg] and Cobus [Reinach], so the two of them will go [to Argentina], if there isn't an injury," Erasmus explained. "If we take Embrose with them, he doesn't have the opportunity to train with the Bulls ahead of their match against the All Blacks [on 15 August]."

All Blacks Clash Becomes Selection Trial

The logic is sound. With the Bulls hosting the All Blacks in Pretoria before the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, Papier gets something that matters far more than a bench seat in Buenos Aires — a crack at the All Blacks in Springbok audition conditions. Herschel Jantjies travels to Argentina because his club Bayonne has no commitments at this stage, a straightforward logistical factor Erasmus also confirmed.

What makes this story compelling is what Erasmus said next. He framed those franchise clashes against the All Blacks as live selection trials. "Those kinds of things are going to be interesting — how Embrose performs against the All Blacks, how Ntuks [prop Ntuthuko Mchunu] performs for the Stormers, [flyhalf] Vusi [Moyo] for the Sharks," he said. That is Erasmus at his most transparent: the franchise games are not warm-up exercises, they are job interviews.

Late Opportunities Still Available for Squad

The Bok coach also left the door open for further late movers into the Greatest Rivalry squad. "Guys can play themselves in if some guys don't do well in Argentina, some guys are not 100% fit and some guys shine against the All Blacks," he said. That is a selection philosophy built on constant pressure — nobody's place is guaranteed, and nobody outside the squad is written off.

For Papier specifically, it means his next few weeks carry enormous weight. A strong showing against the All Blacks at Loftus could be the performance that settles the argument entirely. The Bulls face that challenge on 15 August, and Erasmus will be watching with more than a passing interest.