Brenden Nel makes the case that Embrose Papier is the Bulls' most valuable player this season — a claim hard to dispute given eight tries, five man-of-the-match awards, and a standout 89-metre return against Munster that included a solo effort breaking three defenders from a scrum. Nel argues it's not so much a late-career resurgence as a sharpening of tools already in good shape: his passing accuracy is up, his fitness is the best of his career, and his ability to link with the outside backs — particularly Arendse — has made him a genuine attacking threat every time he touches the ball.
The Springbok question is handled carefully. Nel acknowledges the Boks' halfback depth makes a recall a long shot, but the underlying point is that Papier's form is making the conversation unavoidable. For Bulls supporters, this is a celebration of a player finally getting his flowers; for Springbok fans, it's a reminder that the next World Cup cycle may already have a wildcard knocking loudly.