SA URC Player of the Season Nominees Revealed: 17 Players from All Franchises in the Running

The race for the 2024/25 South African United Rugby Championship (URC) Player of the Season is heating up, with 17 standout players from the country’s four franchises shortlisted following a campaign filled with thrilling performances. The prestigious honour, which recognises the most impactful local player in the competition, will be awarded on Thursday, 5 June.

Top Trio Leads the Pack

Among the most talked-about nominees are three players whose performances have consistently caught the eye — one from the Stormers and two from the Bulls. Stormers fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been pivotal in orchestrating his side’s attacking game this season, while Bulls teammates Cameron Hanekom and Wilco Louw have both delivered week in and week out in their respective roles in the URC.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has played a critical role in the Stormers’ campaign, especially with his accuracy off the tee and ability to unlock defences. He finished the league stage among the top five point scorers — a testament to his reliability and game management, showcasing his skills in the URC.

Bulls eighthman Hanekom, meanwhile, has stood out for his hard running, defensive work rate and turnover-winning ability. Statistically, he’s among the best in the league for offloads and leads his team in defenders beaten and tackles made, proving his worth in the URC.

Tighthead prop Wilco Louw, who made a return to the national squad in 2023 after a two-year absence, has been a cornerstone of the Bulls’ scrum. The Pretoria-based side’s set-piece dominance owes much to his powerful presence in the front row, with the Bulls boasting the best scrum record in the competition, further solidifying their URC status.

Recognition from All Corners

Voting for the award wrapped up on Friday and included input from the Springbok coaching staff, as well as those of the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, all active participants in the URC. Members of the rugby media also had their say. All four local teams had players receive votes, highlighting the depth and competitiveness within South African rugby at the franchise level.

The trio of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hanekom and Louw received the highest number of votes. Notably, all three recently participated in the Springboks’ alignment camp held in Cape Town — a strong indication of their growing stature on the national radar, very much part of URC developments.

Spotlight on the Playoffs

As excitement builds towards the announcement of the winner, attention also turns to the URC quarter-finals taking place this weekend. South African sides are firmly in the spotlight as the knockout stages begin.

The Stormers travel to Scotland to take on Glasgow Warriors on Friday night at 8:35pm. On Saturday, Loftus Versfeld will host the Bulls versus Edinburgh at 1:30pm, while the Sharks face Munster at Kings Park in Durban at 6:30pm, all unfolding in the URC backdrop.

The remaining quarter-final will see Irish giants Leinster clash with Scarlets in Dublin at 4pm on Saturday.

Who Will Claim the Crown?

With performances that have thrilled fans and turned heads among selectors and coaches alike, the eventual winner of the South African URC Player of the Season will have certainly earned the accolade. As anticipation builds, rugby supporters across the country will be waiting eagerly to see which of these homegrown heroes comes out on top.

Also read: URC Knockouts: Are the Bulls and Stormers Built for Glory?