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Player of the Season

Vodacom Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier has been rewarded for this excellent form in the 2025/26 season by being named the South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the season.

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.

Utilising his scintillating speed, Papier scored nine tries in the regular league campaign, plus two more during a Player of Match display in the quarter-final victory over Munster, while he has also delivered five assists, beaten 25 defenders and made 15 clean breaks.

The Western Cape-born scrumhalf, who was called up to the recent Springbok alignment camp, was just 21 when he made his Test debut against Wales in 2018. He went on to win seven caps during that year.

“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.”

Be sure to follow all the URC Awards announcements using the hashtag #URCAwards

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
11 Kyle Rowe, Glasgow Warriors
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, DHL Stormers
9 Embrose Papier, Vodacom Bulls
8 Evan Roos, DHL Stormers
7 Ruan Venter, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions
6 Cian Prendergast, Connacht
5 Cobus Wiese, Vodacom Bulls
4 Darragh Murray, Connacht
3 Thomas Clarkson, Leinster
2 Johann Grobbelaar, Vodacom Bulls
1 Ntuthuko Mchunu, DHL Stormers

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