Papier a worthy URC Player of the Season

Vodacom Bulls superstar Embrose Papier, who was the Vodacom United Rugby Championship’s second-highest try scorer and an inspiration to his teammates all season, has been named the URC’s Player of the Season.

Papier has shown exceptional form this season, scoring 11 tries - nine in the regular season and two more in the quarterfinal against Munster, earning him another man of the match award.

Papier’s selection was determined by votes from the Springbok coaching team, the four franchise coaches and selected South African broadcast commentators. 

Winners from the previous seasons are Evan Roos, Manie Libbok, Sanele Nohamba, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

He has also delivered five assists, beaten 25 defenders, and made 15 clean breaks.

Papier was recently invited to the Bok alignment camp and is hoping to get his first recall to the Boks for eight years, after having played seven times for the national side in 2018. 

Now 29 and in the form of his life, Papier knows only one way to help his team and knock on that Bok door. 

“I just kept working,” said Papier.

“I knew I could still do it. It was just 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 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.”

Papier will also be a massive factor for his Bulls team when they go into their Vodacom United Rugby Championship semifinal against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.

The scrumhalf is the Bulls' best attacking weapon, combining speed, savvy, and an incredible hunger for the tryline in his daily game, and is hoping that this will help him take his side closer to the title they most desire. 

URC Awards Winners 2025-26

Gilbert Golden Boot: Chris Smith (Fidelity SecureDrive Lions)

IPVanish Tackle Machine: Ben Carter (Dragons RFC)

Ironman: Quan Horn (Fidelity SecureDrive Lions)

OFX Top Try Scorer: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)

Playmaker: Jack Walsh (Ospreys)

Next-Gen Player of the Season: Tom Bowen (Cardiff)

SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season: Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls)

Innovation Award: Vodacom Bulls

Try of the Season, powered by URC.tv: Angus Bell (Ulster)

Elite XV

15 Quan Horn, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions
14 Werner Kok, Ulster
13 Stafford McDowall, Glasgow Warriors
12 Stuart McCloskey, Ulster