Papier looking to make more memories at Murrayfield

Embrose Papier. Johan Rynners/Vodacom Bulls

Embrose Papier already has one of his standout rugby memories from Murrayfield, where he made his first start for the Springboks in 2018. Now he’s hoping to make more good memories at this iconic venue with the Vodacom Bulls in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship semi-final here on Saturday.

Murrayfield is an unknown quantity for several players in the Vodacom Bulls team who will experience it for the first time when they face the Glasgow Warriors. But Papier remembers it fondly and is looking forward to the challenge.

“I had my first international start for the Springboks at Murrayfield. I think Murrayfield has its own culture. The atmosphere there is unique and the energy from the Scottish supporters is great. I’ve always enjoyed playing there because of that atmosphere. It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to playing there with the Vodacom Bulls. I think we’re all looking forward to the challenge,” the Vodacom United Rugby Championship’s South African Player of the Season said.

For coach Johan Ackermann, the venue is a fitting one for a semi-final that he says will be at almost Test-match intensity.

“I don’t think we can set the scene better than the fact that we’re playing at a Test stadium. It’s a great privilege to play at such an iconic stadium,” he said.

“There’s an excitement about it. It brings energy. This whole season as a team we’ve spoken about controlling what we can. The surface at Murrayfield is exactly like Loftus Versfeld, so it won’t be such a foreign concept for us. At the end of the day, between those four while lines we just need to do what we’ve prepared for and do it as well as we can. So I think as a team we’re feeling comfortable about playing at Murrayfield.”

Saturday

SF1: (1) Glasgow Warriors v (4) Vodacom Bulls @ Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh (2.30pm UK/ 3.30pm SA)

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 117th league game)

AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) AR 2: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

Live on Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv, FloRugby