Embrose Papier’s Loftus masterclass sends timely reminder to Springboks' Rassie Erasmus

Another week and another Player of the Match award for the sensational Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier.

The 28-year-old could not be making a more convincing riposte to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who left him out of the recent Bok alignment camp.

Papier’s individual brilliance in scoring two superb solo tries was arguably the difference between his team winning and losing to Munster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls won 34-31 and were outscored five tries to four.

“We were pretty good in the first half, but in the second, we made it difficult for ourselves,” Papier said. “We were in front by 14 points and then we made mistakes to give them opportunities to punish us. Throughout the game, we gave them easy tries to stay in the match.”

Papier, who played seven Tests for the Springboks in 2018, but has since been ignored, downplayed his personal contribution.

“I am playing next to some of the best guys in the world in Pollie (Handre Pollard), Willie (Le Roux), Kurt-Lee (Arendse), and Moodie (Canan). They are all world-class, and they assist me in playing in the right areas of the field.”

The win keeps the Bulls on track for a place in the URC playoffs, but Papier acknowledged that the Bull shave to cut out the “silly mistakes.”

“The mistakes cost us momentum. We have to sort that out as we head overseas now. We have to be better than this.”

Next week, the Bulls play the Glasgow Warriors in a Champions Cup match. Next are URC away matches against the Dragons and Scarlets, before URC home matches against Zebre and Benetton.