Papier rewarded with prestigious URC award

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier’s sensational form has been rewarded in the latest edition of the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship awards.

Papier was named South African URC Player of the Season on Thursday.

*Also read:
South African franchises dominate URC Elite XV
Lions duo headline first round of URC award winners

Papier is now older and wiser and reaping the rewards.

The outstanding form the Bulls scrumhalf has shown this season has earned him the South African URC Player of the Season.

His selection was determined by votes from the Springbok coaches, the four franchise coaches and broadcast commentators within his country.

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

His irresistible form saw him called up to the recent Springbok alignment camp, raising the prospect that his eight-year wait for another Test opportunity could be about to come to an end.

The Western Cape-born No.9 was just 21 when he was first called up by South Africa in 2018, making his Test debut against Wales that November.

He went on to win seven caps during that year, but since then, he has been in the international wilderness.

However, that could be all about to change with his recall.

Continues below…

“I just kept working. I knew I could still do it. It was just little things I had to work on,” says the 29-year-old.

“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.”

Try of the Season – Angus Bell (Ulster)

It’s been some season for props scoring sensational award-winning tries.

First, Rhys Carre’s unforgettable effort for Wales against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium was chosen as the best in the Six Nations.

Now, fellow loosehead Angus Bell has won the Try of the Season award for his own solo stunner.

Ulster’s Aussie star is one of the most mobile props in the game, and that was illustrated by his prize-winning touchdown against Cardiff Rugby in January.

Picking up from a ruck some 30 metres out, he broke a tackle before delivering an outrageous side-step to go outside one defender and then cut inside another to cross the whitewash to the delight of the Affidea Stadium crowd.

It was a superb score, and it’s the one fans have chosen as the URC try of the season via a vote on social media.

Bell’s belter came out on top of a ten-strong shortlist which also featured special scores by Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), Nico Steyn (Lions), David Richards (Dragons RFC), Malik Faissal (Zebre Parma), Wandisile Simelane (Stormers), Dan Kelly (Rugby), Handre Pollard (Bulls) and Tom Stewart (Rugby).

A record number of votes were cast this year, close to 10,000 – a 42 per cent increase.

Innovation Award – Bulls

The entertainment experience lies at the heart of the project, which has seen the Bulls win the Innovation Award.

It’s a prize which rewards and celebrates efforts to grow the love of the game, with all 16 teams in the league invited to submit entries.

It recognises people behind the scenes who are working hard to make rugby the greatest experience for fans – both on and off the field.

Connecting with supporters and encouraging new audiences to fall in love with rugby is seen as key to continuing to grow the league and the game.

The submission by the Bulls – entitled ‘Where Rugby Meets Entertainment’ – has that goal front and centre, and it has seen them chosen as the winners of the Innovation Award by a URC Committee.

The Pretoria-based franchise have redefined the matchday experience through a consistent and innovative focus on entertainment, seamlessly blending elite sport with live music and fan engagement.

By creating a dynamic collaboration between rugby and entertainment, they are attracting new audiences and enhancing the overall stadium atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld.