Bulls, Bok scrumhalf set for loan move north

Cape Town - Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier is reportedly set to join Sale Sharks on a three-month loan that will run over the duration of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

The 22-year-old, who has seven Test matches to his name which all came in 2018, fell out of favour with national coach Rassie Erasmus and was not named in the 31-man squad that will do battle in Japan. 

Instead, the Boks have opted for Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies and Cobus Reinach as their three No 9s in the squad. 

Ironically, De Klerk plays his rugby for Sale Sharks and Papier would effectively be his replacement at the English Premiership club during the World Cup. 

According to Rapport newspaper, Papier was set to join Sale on Sunday or early this week. 

Should one of the Bok scrumhalves go down injured at the World Cup, then Papier would most likely be up against Louis Schreuder in terms of who the replacement would be. 

The Boks, meanwhile, open their World Cup account against the defending champion All Blacks in Yokohama this Saturday. 

Kick-off is at 11:45 (SA time). 

- Compiled by Lloyd Burnard