Bulls coach: Embrose Papier got ‘better and better’ this season

Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier was named the URC’s South African Player of the Season. Picture: Kian Abdullah/Gallo Images Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann is proud of scrumhalf Embrose Papier’s performances and says he deserves his United Rugby Championship (URC) SA Player of the Season award. Papierreceived the awardon Thursday after scoring nine tries, delivering five assists, beating 25 defenders, making 15 clean breaks, and kicking well during the regular season.

Papier followed that up witha man-of-the-match performancein the Bulls’ 45-14 win over Munster in their quarter-final at Loftus, where he scored two tries. The explosive scrumhalf, who has earned only nine Test caps to date, the last being in 2018, was invited to this year’s second Springbok alignment camp. He is expected to make a return to the international stage this upcoming season, especially with Cobus Reinach racing to be fit by the opener against the Barbarians on 20 June, and Morné van den Berg, Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse all out of action.

“We’re proud of Embrose. We had ups and downs as a team. But I think Embrose played consistently well, and as the season progressed, I think he just got better and better,” Ackermann said.

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Papier was especially destructive in four matches, scoring a brace of tries against the Lions, Sharks, and Munster twice. “I think it’s always difficult for any player to do that without the team. So we, as a team, are proud of Embrose’s performance and the fact that he got the award.

“But, you know, there are so many good players in South Africa and I think it could have been anyone. But we’re just proud that the recognition went to Embrose and that the players around him could enjoy it with him. He has been outstanding for us this season.” Ackermann also praised the efforts of Johan Grobbelaar, another member of the URC’s Elite XV.

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