Embrose Papier joins Junior Bok training squad
The promising young scrumhalf form Pretoria, Embrose Papier, is still at school, but he has been called up to be part of the Junior Springboks' final squad for 2016.
Two-time SA Schools scrumhalf and Garsfontein High School pupil Embrose Papier on Tuesday joined the Junior Springbok training squad in Stellenbosch as the side prepares for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Manchester from 7 to 25 June.
Papier, who was a member of the SA Schools squad that featured in the International Under-18 Series in 2015 and 2014 and played for the Blue Bulls in the provincial Under-19 competition last season, will be in contention for selection with other scrumhalves Marco Jansen van Vuren and James Hall, who is currently playing Super Rugby for the Southern Kings.
“We are delighted to welcome Embrose to the provisional training squad and we are excited to see what he has to offer,” said Theron.
“He proved himself as a talented player for the SA Schools squad in 2014 and 2015 and he also featured in the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week in the last two years.
“He will have to work hard in the next few days to familiarise himself with our structures, but he is a quality player and we believe he would be able to slot into the squad with ease.”
Theron also had to deal with unfortunate news on Tuesday, as lock Rhyno Herbst had to be hospitalised in Johannesburg following an attack over the weekend in which he was stabbed. A decision will be made in the next few weeks about his availability for the competition.
Theron will name his 28-man squad for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship on Tuesday, 10 May.
The team will face the Xerox Golden Lions Under-19 and Under-21 teams in Johannesburg on 13 May in their first warm-up match, which will be followed by clashes against Maties in Stellenbosch on 17 May and the SWD Eagles in Oudtshoorn on 21 May, with the team set to depart for the international showpiece on 2 June.
Junior Springboks pool fixtures, World Rugby U20 Championship (SA Time):
- Tuesday, 7 June: 16:15 – South Africa vs Japan (Academy Stadium)
- Saturday, 11 June: 19:00 – South Africa vs Argentina (AJ Bell Stadium)
- Wednesday, 15 June: 20:45 – South Africa vs France (Academy Stadium)
