The annual URC Awards recognise excellence both on and off the field, rewarding players, coaches and clubs for their outstanding work throughout the season and for their contribution to the success of the league.

> 2024-2025 | > 2023-2024 | > 2022-2023 | > 2021-2022 | > Awards Criteria

List of winners:

• Tackle Machine – Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers)
• OFX Top Try Scorer – Harri Millard (Cardiff Rugby)
• Gilbert Golden Boot – Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets)
• Playmaker – Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby)
• Ironman – Cam Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
• Next-Gen Player of the Season – Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)
• Try of the Season powered by URC.tv – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers)
• Innovation Award – Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Vodacom URC Player of the Season (South Africa) – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)
• BKT Coach of the Season – Massimo Brunello (Zebre Parma)
• Players’ Player of the Season – RG Snyman (Leinster)
  

List of winners:

• Tackle Machine – Alessandro Izekor (Benetton)
• OFX Top Tryscorer – Johnny Matthews (Glasgow Warriors)
• Gilbert Golden Boot – Chris Smith (Vodacom Bulls)
• Turnover King – Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh)
• Ironman – Shane Daley (Munster)
• Next-Gen Player of the Season – Jack Crowley (Munster)
• Try of the Season powered by URC.tv – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
• Innovation Award – Benetton
• Vodacom URC Player of the Season (South Africa) – Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions)
• BKT Coach of the Season – Graham Rowntree (Munster)
• Players’ Player of the Season – Jack Crowley (Munster)

List of winners:

• Tackle Machine – John Hodnett (Munster)
• OFX Top Tryscorer – Tom Stewart (Ulster)
• Gilbert Golden Boot – Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls)
• Turnover King – Thomas Young (Cardiff)
• Ironman – Quan Horn (Emirates Lions)
• Next-Gen Player of the Season – Tom Stewart (Ulster)
• Try of the Season powered by URC.tv – Joaquin Riera (Benetton)
• Vodacom URC Player of the Season (South Africa) – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers)
• BKT Coach of the Season – Franco Smith (Glasgow Warriors)
• Players’ Player of the Season – Dan Sheehan (Leinster)

List of winners:

• Tackle Machine – Alan O’Connor (Ulster)
• Top Tryscorer – Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers)
• Golden Boot – Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys)
• Turnover King – Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
• Ironman – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls)
• Next-Gen Player of the Season – Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
• Coach of the Season – Leo Cullen (Leinster)
• Players’ Player of the Season – Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)

Awards Criteria

Playmaker (new from 2024/25 season)
Selection process: Stats-decider

Creativity, adaptability, and composure under pressure define a true playmaker. The Playmaker Award is given to the player who creates chances and tries for his team, with three key metrics used to decide the winner – try assists for his team, defenders beaten on the pitch, and successfully completed offloads.

Tackle Machine
Selection process: Stats-decider
Players who have made 150 or more completed tackles during the regular season will be eligible for the award, with the individual who boasts the highest accuracy taking the prize.

OFX Top Try Scorer
Selection process: Stats-decider
Awarded to the player who has scored the most tries during the regular season.

Gilbert Golden Boot
Selection process: Stats-decider
The Gilbert Golden Boot is awarded in recognition of the player who kicks the most points in the regular season.

Ironman
Selection process: Stats-decider
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
Selection process: Media Selection Panel
This award is to recognise young up-and-coming talent. This category is open to players who were aged 23 or under at the start of the season and had earned no more than five international caps at that point. The nine-appearance threshold applies.

Elite XV
Selection process: Media Selection Panel
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.

Try of the Season powered by URC.tv
Selection process: Fan Vote via URC channels
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.

Innovation
Selection process: URC elected Committee
Rewarding and celebrating a URC club’s innovation in growing the love of the game.

• Digital fan engagement (metrics include social following growth)
• Match day experience (metrics include attendance growth)
• Community engagement

Vodacom URC Player of the Season – South Africa
Selection process: Voted for by the South African sports media, the SA franchise coaches and the Springbok coach
Awarded to a player from one of the four South African franchises which forms part of the annual SA Rugby Awards.

BKT Coach of the Season
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’ Player of the Season
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