Embrose Papier, once hailed as South Africa's next great scrumhalf, has a golden opportunity to reignite his Springbok aspirations in the United Rugby Championship (URC) final against Leinster. As Mark Keohane writes for TimesLIVE, Saturday's showdown in Dublin presents Papier with the perfect platform to force his way back into Rassie Erasmus's plans, seven years after his last Test appearance.
Papier will start for the Bulls at Croke Park against a formidable Leinster side brimming with Irish internationals and strengthened by the presence of RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett. While Leinster are considered favourites, Keohane points out that the Bulls have emerged victorious in three of their last five encounters, with Papier playing a pivotal role, notably in last week's semi-final triumph over the Sharks.
Keohane notes, "Papier broke the game open early on in setting up winger Sebastian de Klerk and was electric for much of the match. A big day in Dublin could see him added to the Bok mix and leapfrog those selected.”
Papier's form this season has been exceptional. He has started 16 of 18 URC matches, showcasing his attacking prowess by beating 18 defenders, making seven clean breaks, and delivering seven offloads. His kicking game has also been impressive, with 138 kicks covering over 3600 metres, all while maintaining discipline, conceding only four penalties.
Keohane argues that another standout performance in the final could mark a full circle moment for the 28-year-old, who was initially selected by Erasmus in 2018 and remains deeply committed to the province he adopted when he moved from Darling to Pretoria as a 15-year-old.
Key Stats: Embrose Papier's URC Season
- Starts: 16 of 18 matches
- Defenders Beaten: 18
- Clean Breaks: 7
- Offloads: 7
- Kicks: 138 (over 3600 metres)
- Penalties Conceded: 4
The Bulls' Chances Against Leinster
Despite Leinster's home advantage and star-studded lineup, the Bulls have a history of success against the Irish giants. Papier's performance will be crucial to the Bulls' chances of lifting the URC trophy and securing a memorable victory in Dublin.