Papier crowned URC South African Player of the Season after Erasmus alignment camp snub

Embrose Papier has been named the United Rugby Championship’s South African Player of the Season, capping a remarkable comeback for the Bulls scrum-half who was initially left out of Rassie Erasmus’ first Springbok alignment camp of the year despite his form being among the best in the competition.

The 29-year-old finished the URC regular season with nine tries before adding two more in the Bulls’ quarter-final victory over Munster, where he also claimed the player of the match award. His performances were enough to earn a recall to the Springbok set-up for the second alignment camp last month, ending what had been a near eight-year absence from the international scene since his last Test cap in 2018.

The award was determined by votes from Springbok coaches, the four South African franchise coaches, and broadcasters — a broad panel that underlines how widely Papier’s influence was felt across the season.

Papier, who won seven Test caps in 2018, has spoken candidly about the evolution in his game that has driven the resurgence. “I just kept working. I knew I could still do it. It was just little things I had to work on,” he said. “I have become a lot calmer over the years and started making better decisions on the field.”

He credited greater tactical awareness for the improvement. “In the past, I used to just 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.”

With several South African scrum-halves currently sidelined through injury, Papier’s Test exile could yet come to a full end when the Springboks face England, Scotland, and Wales in July.

Elsewhere in the URC end-of-season awards, Ulster prop Angus Bell claimed Try of the Season for a solo effort against Cardiff Rugby, while the Bulls also picked up the Innovation Award for their ‘Where Rugby Meets Entertainment’ matchday initiative.