Sale confirm they have secured a Faf de Klerk replacement on a short-term deal

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Springbok international and Bulls scrum-half Embrose Papier on a three-month loan as cover during the World Cup.

Considered as one of the most talented young scrum-halves in South Africa, the 22-year-old has made 23 Super Rugby appearances since his debut in 2018.

The No9 had a stellar first season in Super Rugby after being given an opportunity by former Sale coach John Mitchell at just 20 years old. 

Papier was then recognised internationally a few weeks after his 21st birthday when Rassie Erasmus selected him along with Faf de Klerk in his first Springbok squad for the summer Test series in 20128.

He made his debut off the bench versus Wales in Washington DC and has since gone on to play eight times in for South Africa, just missing out on a place in their squad for the World Cup in Japan.

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Embrose will link up with Sale at Carrington this week in order to prepare with the squad ahead of the Sharks’ Premiership Rugby Cup campaign which commencing on Saturday against Northampton Saints.

Pleased to secure some cover in a vital position for the World Cup period, Sale boss Steve Diamond said: “Embrose is a fantastic livewire scrum-half with a similar playing style to Faf de Klerk. 

“His running, distribution and kicking skills are top class and he comes highly recommended to us from a number of our South African players.

“We look forward to welcoming Embrose to Carrington in the next week or two and I believe he will be a great fit for us during the World Cup period.”

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