As the dust settles on the league phase of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC), three standout South African players have emerged as frontrunners for one of local rugby’s highest individual honours: the South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season Award.
DHL Stormers playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Vodacom Bulls duo Cameron Hanekom and Wilco Louw have each earned their place on the shortlist, following seasons filled with grit, consistency, and flair. Their names were revealed after a voting process that brought together the Springbok coaches, franchise coaching panels, and members of the media.
A Three-Horse Race with Bok Credentials
All three nominees attended the recent Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town – a fitting nod to the calibre of talent in contention. The trio weren’t just regulars for their franchises – they were game changers.
For the Stormers, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been nothing short of electric. With ball in hand, he’s been at the heart of their attacking efforts. He ended the league phase as one of the top five points scorers in the competition – a stat that speaks to both his reliability off the tee and his attacking instinct in open play. He’s grown in confidence this season, stepping up as a playmaker and leader in high-pressure moments.
Over in Pretoria, Cameron Hanekom has been a wrecking ball. The Bulls loose forward has racked up impressive numbers: more defenders beaten, more turnovers won, and more tackles made than anyone else in the Bulls squad. Throw in the fact that he’s also in the top five for offloads across the entire URC – and you’ve got a player who’s influencing every phase of play.
Anchoring the Bulls’ scrum has been none other than Wilco Louw. The big tighthead prop returned to the Bok mix last year, and his form in this URC campaign explains why. The Bulls boast the most dominant scrum in the league, and Louw’s strength and experience have been central to that success. Set-piece solidity and his work rate around the park have given Jake White’s men a powerful platform week in and week out.
Recognition Across the Board
What makes this year’s selection special is the breadth of talent acknowledged. Seventeen players received votes from the panel, a reminder of the depth and strength across the four South African franchises. But it’s Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hanekom and Louw who stood tallest when the votes were tallied.
The winner of the Player of the Season award will be announced on Thursday, 5 June, during the annual Vodacom URC Awards ceremony. It’s an occasion that shines a spotlight not only on the best individual performers but also on the growing impact of South African franchises in a northern hemisphere competition.
Keep an eye out too – several other SA players remain in the running for various accolades, so expect more local names to light up the awards night.
