Bulls face potential double blow as Papier and Moodie draw interest

The Vodacom Bulls could face the departure of two Springboks, with scrumhalf Embrose Papier and utility back Canan Moodie attracting interest from overseas clubs from June next year.

Papier appears to be the more immediate concern. Sale Sharks are among the clubs understood to be considering a substantial offer for the 29-year-old, while the Bulls are working to keep him in Pretoria. His contract situation has become a key issue as the club attempts to protect its options at scrumhalf.

Papier has eight Test caps since making his Springbok debut in 2018. He was selected by Rassie Erasmus for the Nations Championship Tests in July but was later released to return to the Bulls. He is currently behind Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach, Herschel Jantjies and Morné van den Berg in the national scrumhalf order.

Moodie also faces an uncertain future at Loftus Versfeld. The 23-year-old is entering the final year of his Bulls contract and has attracted interest from clubs outside South Africa. Japan is among the possible destinations, although no move has been confirmed.

The Bulls therefore have two important retention decisions to handle before next June. The financial terms available to the players are expected to be central to whether either remains with the Pretoria side, with Moodie’s position in particular described as difficult for the club to secure.

Their recent results offer mixed form ahead of the next Currie Cup fixture. The Bulls drew 0-0 with Vanraure Hachinohe and lost twice to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 1-0 and 2-1, before beating Mito Hollyhock 3-1 and drawing 1-1 with Machida Zelvia. They are scheduled to face the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup on 16 August 2026.