'Wonderful' Papier reminds all why he was once a Bok as Bulls end 10-match losing streak

Jake White earlier this week opined that his Bulls squad perhaps needs an injection of current Springboks, but he was also reminded that still-young, forgotten Boks can add just as much class and value to his product.

It seems like almost a lifetime ago since Embrose Papier won the last of 7 international caps back at the end of 2018, which, naturally, also means his fortunes and the overall scrumhalf picture at national level has changed dramatically.

Yet, in delivering one of his best performances of the White-era at Loftus to date in Friday's 40-3 Currie Cup win over Griquas, the 25-year-old halfback illustrated that at his best, his ceiling remains eye-catchingly high.

Papier was excellent, proving the fulcrum of the Bulls' offence by either launching excellent hoists from the base that invariably gave his side momentum or coming up with nifty pop passes and incisive angled bursts that helped translate various powerful phases from close range into points, notably the tries for Ruan Vermaak and Mornay Smith.

His pace was also on show in rounding off a typically spectacular Kurt-Lee Arendse counterattack.

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"I must say, I'm really pleased for him. Embrose works so hard every week, particularly on his basics and how we want to play as a team," said Bulls assistant coach Russell Winter.

"I don't want to single anybody out because the whole back division was very good on the night. They're working so hard as a collective to turn things around."

Tellingly, the Bulls pack's ascendancy against admittedly off-colour opponents also showed that Papier is a treat when the platform has been laid.

"That said, Embrose was excellent [on the night].