In-form Papier keeps confidantes close in dealing with Bulls slump: 'They provide the truths'

It's on us too.

Embrose Papier made it emphatically clear on Tuesday that the Bulls' slump - a 10-match winless streak that was at least broken at the weekend - is as much down to the players as the coaching staff.

The majority of discourse on the team's poor form had centred on whether director of rugby Jake White's overall project was showing cracks, while the potential contribution to the malaise from the actual men on the field has gone relatively unnoticed.

But Papier, hailed by assistant coach Russell Winter as one of the hardest working players in the squad, isn't shying away from being accountable. 

"It's very important [for us as players to acknowledge our responsibility]. The Bulls are a big union," he said.

"Every player here is out to minimise, perhaps even avoid mistakes. You don't want a situation where you're responsible for dragging the Bulls' name through the mud.

"We try our best, we're really working very hard. Our sense of responsibility is huge currently. We realise we need to be accountable and we do that by going out every Saturday and playing to the best of our abilities.

"We need to work harder."

READ | Bulls' Springbok infusion crucial to stopping the rot as wayward Griquas are thrashed

The Bulls relieved some of the pressure that has been heaped on them with a comfortable 40-3 Currie Cup victory over Griquas last Friday, a result that, at the very least, inspires a bit of confidence that comes with tasting an overdue win.  

During the Bulls' losing streak, Papier made a point of continually engaging with his closest confidantes instead of retreating into his shell once results started pouring heat on him and his teammates. 

"It's interesting. When things aren't going well on the field, [it does seem