It is a story that could have ended in quiet regret. Embrose Papier, the lightning-quick scrumhalf from the Bulls, looked like he threw everything away after those seven Springbok caps back in 2018.
“He looks super hungry and is in the best shape of his life with speed for days!” – Jay | JPS
Fresh out of his teens, he got the call under Rassie Erasmus and showed flashes against Wales and on the end-of-year tour. After that initial burst, the national jersey stayed out of reach for years despite solid club rugby.
Injuries, stiff competition, and what felt like the wrong fit at the wrong time left a lot of fans wondering if they would ever see the real playmaker again. But here we are in 2026, and the script has flipped.
Erasmus has called him up, which is clear recognition of his explosive performances over the last couple of months. While Bulls supporters have been shouting for ages that the boss needed to open his eyes, the head coach has finally listened.
The veteran is not a nostalgia pick. He is a guy who has earned it the hard way, week in and week out, at Loftus Versfeld. The man who deserves massive credit for this turnaround is probably Bulls coach Johann Ackermann who has seemingly given the player an opportunity to be the free-running little genius he can be.
There is no more trying to squeeze him into a rigid, safety-first system. No more coaching that seemed to clip the wings of the talented No.9. Under the current mentor, Papier is unleashed, sniping, stepping, and running like the street-smart player who first caught everyone’s eye as a schoolboy.
The proof is right there on the field as he racks up a series of Man of the Match performances. The star is turning games with solo tries and ridiculous pace. His step is sharper, his support play is lethal, and defenders are suddenly the ones scrambling.
This is a full renaissance for a 29-year-old who is now on the brink of becoming the most-capped scrumhalf in Bulls history. He is set to break the record of Joost van der Westhuizen with his 170th appearance.
Ackermann has been vocal about the fact that the Boks have already made contact. They see what is happening and recognize that this call-up hits different for the Loftus faithful. It is validation straight from the top for the guy who stayed loyal and kept grinding through the wilderness years.
The scrumhalf is reminding everyone exactly why he was tipped as a future star. The depth at halfback for the national team is no joke, but the Bulls standout brings something raw and different. He possesses that instinctive spark that can unlock a backline when the game opens up.
If he gets the chance to link with fellow teammates like Kurt-Lee Arendse or Canan Moodie, it could be special. The guy who looked like he threw everything away is back and playing with total freedom.
The national staff noticed the fire that has been burning brighter than ever these past months. For the Bulls faithful, this second chapter of his Springbok story might just be the best one yet.
📊 THE JUST PLAIN POLL:
Does Embrose Papier deserve to start for the Springboks in their next Test match?
✅ Yes, he is the form 9
❌ No, use him off the bench
📸 Images via Bulls Rugby
