The yearly URC awards are fully underway, with just a few major awards yet to be announced. Already seven of the league’s most deserving players have received their awards, with five more to be dished out over the next couple of weeks.
Munster have already picked up two awards through Shane Daly for his incredible work rate throughout the season, staying on the field longer than anyone else in the league, also Jack Crowley for being viewed as the most promising youngster.
Jamie Richie has been proving his worth with an unbeaten amount of turnovers as Chris Smith knocked over the greatest number of points. Alessandro Izekor and Johnny Matthews were top of the tackle and try scoring counts respectively, whilst Aphelele Fassi’s incredible solo effort against Edinburgh in Round 13 was been voted as Try of the Season following a social media vote by BKT URC fans with over 5,000 people having their say.
There were 10 tries in total nominated, with Fassi beating some stiff competition to the award.
Try of the Season Nominees:
- Craig Casey (Munster) v Leinster
- Quan Horn (Emirates Lions) v Dragons RFC
- Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) v Vodacom Bulls
- Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers) v Leinster
- Theo Cabango (Cardiff Rugby) v Scarlets
- Diarmuid Kilgallen (Connacht) v Glasgow Warriors
- Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) v Edinburgh
- JC Pretorius (Emirates Lions) v Glasgow Warriors
- Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls) v Cardiff Rugby
- Sebastián Cancelliere (Glasgow Warriors) v Leinster
URC Awards Winners 2023-24
Tackle Machine: Alessandro Izekor (Benetton Rugby)
Players who have made 150 or more tackles during the regular season will be eligible for the award, with the individual who boasts the highest accuracy taking home the prize.
Turnover King: Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby)
This award will be heading home with the player who has won the most turnovers during the regular season, with jackal turnovers used as the tie-breaker.
Gilbert Golden Boot: Chris Smith (Vodacom Bulls)
The Gilbert Golden Boot is awarded in recognition of the most accurate place-kicker, with all kickers who have attempted a minimum of 30 ranked by their success percentage.
OFX Top Try Scorer: Johnny Matthews (Glasgow Warriors)
Awarded to the player who has scored the most tries during the regular season.
Ironman Award: Shane Daly (Munster Rugby)
The Ironman award is given to the player who has racked up the most minutes in the regular season.
Next-Gen Player of the Season: Jack Crowley (Munster Rugby)
This award is to recognise young up-and-coming talent. This category is open to players who were aged under 23 at the end of the previous season and had earned no more than five international caps at that point. The nine-appearance threshold applies. It will be determined by a media vote.
Try of the Season Powered by URC.tv: Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Ten Top Tries of the season, sourced through URC.tv, will be shared with rugby fanatics around the world on various digital platforms, driving fans to vote via an online voting form. The player who scored the try that receives the most votes will receive this award.
Upcoming awards:
ELITE XV – Winner announced: 14-JUNE-2024
The Elite XV will be determined by a media vote. Players must have made nine appearances to be considered, with the media panel provided a shortlist of 10 per position by URC StatMaster. The player with the most votes in each position earns a place in the team.
ELIXIRR INNOVATION AWARD – Winner announced: 14-JUNE-2024
Rewarding and celebrating a club’s innovation in growing the love of the game through Digital fan engagement, match day experience and Social purpose.
VODACOM URC PLAYER OF THE SEASON – Winner announced: 18-JUNE-2024
Awarded to a player from one of the four South African franchises and forms part of the annual SA Rugby Awards and will be determined by votes from the South African media, the four South African franchise coaches and the Springbok coach.
BKT COACH OF THE SEASON – Winner announced: 19-JUNE-2024
The prize for the top coach will be voted for by all 16 of the leagues’ clubs head coaches and /or Director of Rugby.
PLAYERS’ PLAYERS OF THE SEASON – Winner announced: 20-JUNE-2024
This award will be voted for by the Captain and Vice-Captain of each URC club, with all nominees required to have made a minimum of nine appearances.
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