By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Embrose Papier was a standout for the senior Vodacom Bulls, claiming both the Players’ Player of the Year and the Senior MVP/Player of the Year awards.
Papier was among several multiple award winners as the Bulls recognised performances across their senior, Currie Cup, women’s and age-group teams throughout the 2025 and 2025/26 seasons.
Loose forward Jeandré Rudolph was another player to earn two honours, having been named the Bulls’ 2025 Currie Cup Player of the Year as well as their Forward of the Year in the 2025-26 Champions Cup. Winger Sebastian de Klerk was named the Bulls’ Champions Cup Back of the Year.
In the URC categories, centre Harold Vorster was named Back of the Year, while hooker Johan Grobbelaar took the Forward of the Year award, while loose forward Junior Pokomela and scrumhalf Zak Burger received the respective forward and back awards for the 2025 Currie Cup campaign.
Loose forward JJ Theron’s progress through the Bulls’ junior ranks was rewarded with the Forward of the Year award at both U21 and U23 level.
Winger Cheswill Jooste was recognised as the Bulls’ Newcomer of the Year, with Springbok flank Marco van Staden receiving the Team Man of the Year award.
The Bulls Daisies also featured prominently on the honours list. Vainah Ubisi claimed Try of the Year and Forward of the Year, while Camelitha Malone was voted Players’ Player of the Year and received the Pulse of the Team award.
Chuma Qawe was named the Daisies’ Player of the Year, with Yonela Ngxingolo taking the MVP award and Thobile Msizazwe recognised as Back of the Year.
Here is the list of all the winners:
VODACOM BULLS U19s 2025
- Forward of the Year: Heinrich Theron
- Back of the Year: Pieter van der Merwe
- Player of the Year: Kebotile Maake
VODACOM BULLS U21s 2025
- Forward of the Year: JJ Theron
- Back of the Year: Demitre Erasmus
- Player of the Year: Cephas van Biljon
VODACOM BULLS U23 2026
- Forward of the Year: JJ Theron
- Back of the Year: Neil Le Roux
CARLING CURRIE CUP 2025
- Forward of the Year: Junior Pokomela
- Back of the Year: Zak Burger
- Player of the Year: Jeandré Rudolph
ISUZU BULLS DAISIES 2026
- Try of the Year (SSG): Vainah Ubisi
- Pulse of the Team (JacarandaFM Feel Good): Camelitha Malone
- Back of the Year (Puma): Thobile Msizazwe
- Forward of the Year (Isuzu): Vainah Ubisi
- Player of the Year (Isuzu): Chuma Qawe
- Players’ Player of the Year (GP Consult): Camelitha Malone
- Isuzu Bulls Daisies MVP (Isuzu): Yonela Ngxingolo
INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP 2025/26
- Back of the Year (Puma): Sebastian de Klerk
- Forward of the Year (Isuzu): Jeandré Rudolph
VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2025/26
- Back of the Year (Vodacom): Harold Vorster
- Forward of the Year (Vodacom): Johan Grobbelaar
VODACOM BULLS
- Newcomer of the Year (RAM): Cheswill Jooste
- Team Man of the Year (Richelieu): Marco van Staden
- Players’ Player of the Year (Luno): Embrose Papier
- Senior MVP/Player of the Year (Vodacom): Embrose Papier
BLUE BULLS COMPANY
- Employee of the Year (BrightRock): Chantell Prinsloo
- Feel Good Award (JacarandaFM): Marcell Coetzee.