Homegrown talent and scrumhalf Embrose Papier will - this afternoon - notch up his 100th league appearance for the Vodacom Bulls.
Papier will achieve this milestone at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the round 11 Vodacom United Rugby Championship (VURC) derby against Durban outfit, the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Coincidentally enough, the round is dedicated to player origins, celebrating grassroots and the communities that make and inspire the stars who entertain us all on the elite stage.
Since the 2017/2018 season, ‘Emi’ has amassed 66 VURC appearances, a further 29 in the Vodacom Super Rugby and six more in the Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked competitions, respectively.
Outside of the league, the sharp No 9 has a further 12 Investec Champions Cup and three Rainbow Cup caps to bring his professional appearance tally for the Tshwane outfit to 115 caps.
The nimble and often uncatchable Springbok says his recent feat for the herd means a great deal to him as he reflects on a career that already features historic highlights.
“The 2024 Leinster semifinal is one I will never forget. We (basically) had a perfect match even though we were considered to be the underdogs at the time. We got so much energy from the crowd, and it was amazing to have such a great win here at Loftus.”
The 27-year-old continues to reflect: “Getting to 100 league appearances means a great deal to me, especially when looking at some of the legendary names in rugby who have represented the team over the years and the history they have made,”
“It’s an honour to carry on the legacy and be able to represent the jersey myself.”
The privilege of donning the iconic blue is not lost on Emi. “A 100 caps for a club in general is not something you see very often, so I am grateful to the Vodacom Bulls for backing me over the years and giving me the opportunities they have for me to reach this milestone.
“I am truly humbled and filled with gratitude because I have been representing the franchise since under 16, so I basically grew up and learned everything I know about rugby here. My time with this club has moulded me into the player and person that I am today. Thank you to everyone!” he concluded.