Gelant, Jordan & Andre the Giant making URC statements
South Africa’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship challenge has been characterised by physicality and flair and several of the country’s players are among the league’s front runners for awards.
South African teams continue to bring a unique blend of physicality and flair, producing standout contenders across all categories.
🌍 URC Awards 2024/25: Regional Showcase – Round 15
As the regular season nears its conclusion, the URC Awards shine a spotlight on the competition’s most electrifying and consistent performers. From lethal finishers to tireless tacklers and creative maestros, these awards reflect every pillar of rugby excellence.
🏆 Stats-Based Awards on Offer
• Playmaker Award
• Tackle Machine Award
• OFX Top Try Scorer
• Gilbert Golden Boot
• Ironman Award
🇿🇦 South Africa – Power, Precision & Playmakers
South African teams continue to bring a unique blend of physicality and flair, producing standout contenders across all categories.
Playmaker Presence:
•Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks) – brute force and subtle hands.
•Jordan Hendrikse – sharp distribution and a deadly boot.
•Warrick Gelant – URC leader in try assists (7).
Ironman Intensity:
•Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks) & Francke Horn (Lions) – barely missed a minute all season.
Golden Boot Class:
•Hendrikse ranks 2nd overall with 93 points and a 91.67% kick accuracy.
Try-Scoring Threats:
•Siya Kolisi – most tries by a forward (7).
•Ethan Hooker – breakout campaign with 6 tries.
🇮🇪 Ireland – Technical Brilliance & Tackling Titans
Ireland’s players are leading the way in defensive steel and attacking creativity.
Playmaker Prodigy:
•Tom Farrell (Munster) – 49 defenders beaten and a league-best playmaker score of 132.
Tackle Titans:
•Gavin Coombes & Fineen Wycherley (Munster) – both above 93% tackle success with big volume.
Golden Boot Chasers:
•Ross Byrne and Nathan Doak continue to deliver under pressure.
Try Impact:
•Coombes again features with 6 tries, underlining a superb all-round season.
🏴 Wales – Dominant Defence & Rising Stars
Wales leads all territories in total nominees, showcasing structured defence and emerging talent.
Tackle Machine Central:
• Morgan Morris, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Alun Lawrence, Teddy Williams, and Shane Lewis-Hughes all lead the league for tackle accuracy.
Ironman Territory:
•Cam Winnett, Rio Dyer, and Aneurin Owen each top 1,000 minutes.
Golden Boot Hopefuls:
•Ioan Lloyd tops the leaderboard with 107 points.
•Callum Sheedy and Dan Edwards also in contention.
Attacking Spark:
•Harri Millard – 7 tries
• Cam Winnett – also on the Playmaker shortlist
🏴☠️ Scotland – Smart Finishes & Creative Sparks
Scottish stars are shining in both the backline and defensive workloads.
Dual Threat:
•Wes Goosen (Edinburgh) – featured in both the Playmaker and Ironman categories.
Game Management:
•Ross Thompson (Edinburgh) – consistent kicker and tactical leader.
Try-Scoring Machines:
•Johnny Matthews (Glasgow) leads the URC with 8 tries.
•George Horne and Jamie Dobie follow closely with 6 each.
🇮🇹 Italy – A Growing Force
Italy’s franchises continue to build, but several standout performers are now league contenders.
Creative Sparks:
•Geronimo Prisciantelli (Zebre Parma) – 6 try assists & 36 defenders beaten.
Tackle Reliability:
•Alessandro Izekor (Benetton) & Matteo Canali (Zebre) – above 90% tackle success on 150+ attempts.
Kicking Class:
•Tomas Albornoz (Benetton) – consistent in the Golden Boot race with accuracy and control.
📊 Territory Tally: Who’s Leading the Awards Race?
|
Territory |
Number of Players in Contention |
|---|---|
|
Wales |
18+ |
|
Ireland |
10+ |
|
South Africa |
9+ |
|
Scotland |
6+ |
|
Italy |
4+ |
🏆 URC Awards: Key Contenders Ahead of Round 15
🔮 Playmaker Award (New for 2024/25)
Criteria: Creativity, adaptability, and composure under pressure. This award goes to the player who creates chances and tries, based on:
• Try assists
• Offloads
• Defenders beaten
Top Contenders:
• Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby) – 5 Try Assists | 34 Offloads | 49 Defenders Beaten | Score: 132
• Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers) – 7 | 30 | 21 | 102
• Geronimo Prisciantelli (Zebre Parma) – 6 | 22 | 36 | 98
• Gavin Coombes (Munster Rugby) – 3 | 22 | 28 | 81
• RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby) – 1 | 34 | 9 | 80
• Wes Goosen (Edinburgh Rugby) – 3 | 16 | 36 | 77
• Cam Winnett (Cardiff Rugby) – 10 | 7 | 30 | 74
• Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks) – 2 | 18 | 30 | 72
• Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 | 10 | 44 | 70
• Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks) – 3 | 10 | 40 | 69
🛡 Ironman Award
Criteria: Most minutes played during the regular season.
Top Contenders:
• Wes Goosen (Edinburgh Rugby) – 14 Games | 1,120 Minutes
• Francke Horn (Lions) – 14 | 1,112
• Cam Winnett (Cardiff Rugby) – 14 | 1,107
• Rio Dyer (Dragons RFC) – 14 | 1,096
• Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby) – 14 | 1,053
• Gareth Davies (Scarlets) – 14 | 1,050
• Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks) – 14 | 1,050
• Shane Lewis-Hughes (Dragons RFC) – 14 | 1,039
• Callum Sheedy (Cardiff Rugby) – 14 | 1,014
• Aneurin Owen (Dragons RFC) – 14 | 1,012
🧱 Tackle Machine Award
Criteria: Players with 150+ tackles; awarded to the player with the highest accuracy.
Top Contenders:
• Morgan Morris (Ospreys) – 164 Total | 157 Made | 7 Missed | 95.73%
• Sam Lousi (Scarlets) – 186 | 178 | 8 | 95.70%
• Alessandro Izekor (Benetton Rugby) – 177 | 168 | 9 | 94.92%
• Max Douglas (Scarlets) – 161 | 152 | 9 | 94.41%
• Alun Lawrence (Cardiff Rugby) – 241 | 227 | 14 | 94.19%
• Fineen Wycherley (Munster Rugby) – 161 | 151 | 10 | 93.79%
• Shane Lewis-Hughes (Dragons RFC) – 170 | 159 | 11 | 93.53%
• Gavin Coombes (Munster Rugby) – 195 | 182 | 13 | 93.33%
• Tommaso di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma) – 173 | 161 | 12 | 93.06%
• Josh Macleod (Scarlets) – 173 | 158 | 15 | 91.33%
🎯 Gilbert Golden Boot Award
Criteria: Most points kicked during the regular season.
Top Contenders:
• Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets) – 107 Points (38 Conversions | 69 Penalties)
• Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks) – 93 (54 | 39)
• Ross Thompson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 81 (48 | 33)
• Dan Edwards (Ospreys) – 66 (32 | 33 | 1 Drop Goal)
• Ross Byrne (Leinster Rugby) – 66 (48 | 18)
• Jurie Matthee (Stormers) – 59 (14 | 45)
• Callum Sheedy (Cardiff Rugby) – 54 (42 | 12)
• Tomas Albornoz (Benetton Rugby) – 53 (20 | 33)
• David Kriel (Bulls) – 50 (26 | 24)
• Nathan Doak (Ulster Rugby) – 48 (36 | 12)
🏉 OFX Top Try Scorer Award
Criteria: Awarded to the player with the most tries scored in the regular season.
Top Scorers:
• Johnny Matthews (Glasgow Warriors) – 8
• Harri Millard (Cardiff Rugby) – 7
• Siya Kolisi (Sharks) – 7
• Canan Moodie, Gavin Coombes, George Horne, Jamie Dobie, Leolin Zas, Tom Farrell – All on 6
• A long list of players on 5, including:
• Andrew Osborne, Ben Muncaster, Ben Murphy, Blair Murray, Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, Evan Roos, Henco van Wyk, Jacob Stockdale, Jacopo Trulla, Josh Macleod, Kyle Steyn, Macs Page, Paddy Harrison, Taine Basham
