Vodacom Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier has been named the South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season after producing the most consistent campaign of his career.
The award was voted for by the Springbok coaching team, South Africa’s four franchise coaches and selected television commentators.
Papier succeeds previous winners Evan Roos, Manie Libbok, Sanele Nohamba and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The 28-year-old has been one of the driving forces behind the Bulls’ run to the URC semi-finals, combining his trademark pace with a level of game management that has elevated him into one of the competition’s standout performers.
His numbers underline his influence.
Papier scored nine tries during the regular season and added two more in the Bulls’ quarter-final victory over Munster, where he earned Player of the Match honours. He also registered five try assists, beat 25 defenders and made 15 clean breaks.
While his attacking threat has never been in doubt, Papier believes experience has transformed the decision-making side of his game.
“I kept working,” Papier said.
“I knew I could still do it. It was little things I had to work on. I have become a lot calmer over the years and started making better decisions on the field.
“In the past, I used to pass a lot and see what happens. But now I analyse teams.
“The more experience you gain, the better decisions you make. You can see when the forwards are going forward or being tackled backwards, then you know when to make the ball slow or fast.”
Papier burst onto the international scene as a 21-year-old when he made his Springbok debut against Wales in 2018 and won seven Test caps that season.
Although his Springbok career stalled in the years that followed, his performances this season have placed him firmly back in the national conversation. He was among the players invited to the recent Springbok alignment camp, an indication that his form has not gone unnoticed by the national selectors.
The award caps a remarkable season for the scrumhalf, who was also selected in the URC Elite XV alongside fellow South Africans Quan Horn, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Evan Roos, Cobus Wiese, Johann Grobbelaar and Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Papier’s recognition also comes during a strong campaign for the Bulls, who claimed the URC Innovation Award and remain in contention for the title.
For a player whose career has featured both early promise and periods of frustration, the accolade serves as confirmation that patience, perseverance and performance have combined to produce his finest season yet.
URC Elite XV
15. Quan Horn (Lions), 14. Werner Kok (Ulster), 13. Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors), 12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), 11. Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), 9. Embrose Papier (Bulls), 8. Evan Roos (Stormers), 7. Ruan Venter (Lions), 6. Cian Prendergast (Connacht), 5. Cobus Wiese (Bulls), 4. Darragh Murray (Connacht), 3. Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), 2. Johann Grobbelaar (Bulls), 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers).
