Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier has a point to prove in the inaugural Rainbow Cup SA.
Hosting the Lions in their first match at 7pm tomorrow night, Papier wants to cement his place in the starting XV at the Bulls.
After that, he still has aspirations of playing for the Springboks.
Capped seven times at international level in 2018, Papier has not played for the Boks since.
And with Ivan van Zyl leaving for English club Saracens at the end of June, Papier says: “Everyone is fighting for the No.9 jersey. No-one can become comfortable in any position, as there is always someone putting up their hand...
“With my overall game and kicking game, I have improved a lot. I am just excited as I am learning something new every day. I am working very hard on that.”
He adds of his international ambitions: “It’s definitely a goal for me.”