Who are the likely SA URC Player of the Season contenders?

The 2024-25 United Rugby Championship (URC) season is winding to its conclusion, with the playoffs set to be battled out, and the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers all in the running for the title.

A large number of players have impressed for all of South Africa’s franchises over their respective campaigns, even for the struggling Lions, and an SA URC Player of the Season will be announced in the coming month.

Here are our top nominees for the award, one from each union, and one honourable mention, who will likely be in the running to pick up the prestigious title.

 Bulls

 Wilco Louw

The heavyweight Bulls front ranker has arguably been the most destructive scrummager in the URC this season. Louw has powered an imperious Bulls pack that has smashed all before them on their way to second on the URC log and a home playoff.

He has played in 16 of the Bulls 18 pool games this season, starting 15 of them, and he will be hoping to add another three starts to that tally and lead the Bulls to the final and hopefully the title by the end of the campaign. His form should see him stay firmly in the Bok fold that he returned to last year after a few years out.

Honourable mention: Cameron Hanekom

It has been another barnstorming season for the young looseforward, after his breakout campaign last season, and if his form is anything to go by, he should be getting plenty of chances to add to the one Springbok cap he picked up last year.

Stormers

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

The incredible impact that rising star Feinberg-Mngomezulu has had on the Stormers is shown by him arguably being their best player this season, despite the fact that he missed over half of it due to injury. He missed the start before returning in December, where he suffered three injuries in three games, before being out for another spell.

Since making his return in March he has been incredible, picking up two man-of-the-match awards, scored a hattrick against Connacht, and has made the Stormers no10 jersey his own, which will especially please Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.

Honourable mention: Evan Roos

 It has been another top season for the Stormers loooseforward, but one feels his Bok chances may be running out. Since he blew the lights out in the inaugural URC season, he has been in the national fold but unable to establish himself. He needs to take this momentum into the coming international season.

Sharks

Vincent Tshituka

This could end up being his best professional season if utility forward Tshituka can make a sensational step up to the Springboks. He mightily impressed at the Lions before making the switch to the Sharks in 2022, where he has been a strong presence in their setup.

This season has seen Tshituka go to the next level, covering lock regularly, impressing at his usual position as flank, and has taken over the captaincy reins when injuries of resting protocols have kept the regular leaders out. His call-up to the second Bok alignment camp is in recognition of that effort, and having finally received his SA ID he now has a chance to make a big step up.

Honourable mention: Ethan Hooker

The young gun has impressed again, as he did in a breakout campaign for the Sharks last season. His form saw him in the Springbok mix, although he didn’t make his debut, but another strong campaign, backed up by him showing some good utility value this season, may be what is needed to get him in the door for his debut.

Lions

Morne van den Berg

It has been a great season personally during a difficult campaign for his team for the Lions scrumhalf and he will hope that his efforts have not gone unnoticed. Van Den Berg has had to be a solid stable feature during a tough time for halfbacks at the union.

He has had to play with four different flyhalves regularly over the campaign, after Sanele Nohamba left, he has had to play alongside Kade Wolhuter, Sam Francis and Gianni Lombard. But despite all the turmoil he has consistently impressed, and hopefully he can add to his two Bok caps later this year.

Honourable mention: Edwill van der Merwe

The departing Lions winger will leave a gaping hole in the team that will be incredibly hard to close. Since arriving from the Stormers in 2021 he has been arguably the Lions most consistent performer, and after another top season leaves for the Sharks on a high. He will also hope to add to his one Bok cap.