Born in Clanwilliam in the Western Cape Papier showed promise as early as primary school level, as he earned provincial colours by representing the Boland Cavaliers at the 2010 Under-13 Craven Week.
He then moved to Pretoria, where he enrolled at Hoërskool Garsfontein. In 2013, he represented the Blue Bulls at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week.
A year later, despite still being in the Under-17 age bracket, he was included in the Blue Bulls squad for the Under-18 Craven Week and started all three matches at the tournament. After the tournament, he was included in a South Africa Schools team that hosted the Under-18 International Series against their counterparts from France, Wales and England.
Papier had a similar season in 2015; he started all three of the Blue Bulls' matches at Craven Week and was once again included in the South Africa Schools squad.
Later that year Papier starred for the South African youth 7s squad that won gold at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games.
After high school, Papier joined the Blue Bulls' academy for the 2016 season. Despite not being included in an initial South Africa Under-20 training squad, Papier was included in the final South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester in England.
In November 2016, Papier was named in the Bulls Super Rugby team's extended training squad during the team's preparations for the 2017 Super Rugby season. He didn't feature for the Bulls during the 2017 Super Rugby season but was once again included in the Springbok u20 squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Georgia.
He was the first choice scrumhalf for the side as they finished 3rd overall.
Papier is considered to be one of the most talented rising stars in South African rugby and was heaped with praise by new Bulls Coach John Mitchell before his debut Super Rugby season with the Bulls.
The young halfback did not disappoint on his early promise in his first few appearances for the Bulls and was named in Rassie Erasmus' first Springbok squad ahead of the 2018 June Internationals.
In August 2018, Papier extended his contract with the Blue Bulls until 2021. By the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season, he had made 23 appearances for the Bulls since his debut in 2018.
The 8 test Springbok scrumhalf then side a short-term deal as Rugby World Cup cover with the Sale Sharks. He made five appearances for the Premiership club, including one start before he re-joined the Bulls ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
In May 2021, he signed a contract extension to remain at Loftus.
(LS May 24, 2021)
Career
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Bulls Scrum Half |
2018 - present |
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Blue Bulls Scrum Half |
2018 - present |
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Springbok Green Scrum Half |
2020 - present |
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Hoërskool Garsfontein Scrum Half |
|
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South Africa U20's Scrum Half |
2016 - 2017 |
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UP Tuks Scrum Half |
2017 - 2017 |
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South Africa Scrum Half |
2018 - 2018 |
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Sale Sharks Scrum Half |
2019 - 2019 |
