Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is back in the national camp ahead of Saturday’s Test against Wales in Cardiff.
But coach Rassie Erasmus says he will continue to back Embrose Papier in the No.9 jumper.
Papier made his first start for the Springboks in their 26-20 win over Scotland last weekend and was one of the standout stars for the Boks.
De Klerk was, meanwhile, unavailable for that clash because of club commitments, but will in all likelihood watch from the stands as the Boks tackle the Welsh Dragons.
Erasmus explains: “Faf [de Klerk] is available this weekend, but we probably won’t use him.
“Faf is definitely a contender to go to the World Cup next year but in the same breath, we don’t have the luxury of 15 to 20 Test matches before the World Cup.
Regular scrumhalf Faf de Klerk. Photo: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
“We have five, including this one.
“The way we have been trying to build momentum and get the winning feeling back, we had to rely a lot on Faf, but we feel the young boys in the squad are ready to take the step up and show what they can do, like Embrose [Papier] did last week and Ivan [van Zyl] did against England.”
Erasmus is also confident that injured lock Eben Etzebeth will be fit and ready to go against the Dragons, who he describes as SA’s toughest test on tour after a foot injury ruled him out for the matches against France and Scotland.