Hanekom voted URC's Next-Gen Player, seven SA players in the Elite XV
Hanekom has been phenomenal with his carries, tackling and steals at the breakdown this season.
Bulls eighthman Cameron Hanekom has fuelled much of the union's success in this URC. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Bulls eighthman Cameron Hanekom has been awarded the United Rugby Championship's Next-Gen Player of the Season award, while seven South Africans have been included in the tournament's prestigious Elite XV.
The winners were announced on Wednesday after votes from media from all five playing nations, following the regular season.
Hanekom, 23, joined Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden (Tackle Machine) as the first two South Africans to receive recognition. Tom Farrell (Playmaker), Ioan Llyod (Gilbert Golden Boot), Harri Millard (OFX Top Try Scorer), and Cam Winnett (Ironman) were also awarded.
Hanekom has been exceptional for the Pretoria franchise this season, particularly with his carries, tackling and steals at the breakdown. He's also added three tries to his tally in this URC. He's helped the Bulls finish second on the URC log and set up a home quarter-final first against Edinburgh, before a home semi-final against the Sharks. He has also been nominated for the URC's SA Player of the Season award.
The category was 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 the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
Massive congratulations to our very own Cameron Hanekom — the URC Next-Gen Player of the Season! 🐂🏆
An incredible achievement and truly well deserved 👏 @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #ForeverBlue pic.twitter.com/KO8lTsC7rd
June 4, 2025
URC's Elite XV
The tournament's Elite XV includes five locally-based South African players and two playing overseas.
Sharks centre André Esterhuizen, Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Bulls utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe, Bulls prop Wilco Louw and Leinster lock RG Snyman join Hanekom on on the list that includes players from nine teams.
Elite XV
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
32 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Are you one of the almost 16% who can afford a home loan over R1.3 million?
The question is not only if you can afford a home loan but if you can afford all the other expenses of owning a property. Recent research by an independent economist reveals that less than 16% of South Africans can genuinely afford homes priced above R1.3 million, underscoring a growing disparity between loan approvals and actual affordability. This raises questions about the financial sustainability of homeownership for the average buyer, Henri Le Grange, certified financial planner at Old Mutual Personal Finance, says. 'Qualifying for a bank loan does not necessarily mean you can afford all the costs that come with owning a home. 'The affordability gap often arises because banks assess loan eligibility primarily based on income thresholds, without considering your broader financial plan.' Le Grange says banks typically evaluate affordability based not only on gross income but also on disposable income, net income and previous monthly expenses. 'However, they consider past data and may not account for additional costs that come with homeownership, such as maintenance, insurance, or the impact of interest rate changes. ALSO READ: More SA consumers battling to pay their home loans and credit cards – report Some people get home loans but cannot afford true repayment 'As a result, I have seen customers approved for loans that exceed their true repayment capacity, threatening their financial well-being. This disconnect highlights the importance of seeking professional advice before buying a home.' Research by Izak Odendaal, Investment Strategist at Old Mutual Wealth, highlights key reasons why owning a home remains out of reach for many South Africans: stagnant wages, rising inflation and higher interest rates. 'South Africa's high interest rates and increasing property prices have made homeownership increasingly difficult. 'Many prospective buyers have been locked out of the market due to these combined factors, resulting in record-low affordability levels in the housing sector. 'Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and it is easy to underestimate the true cost of ownership. 'Many customers also overlook the ongoing costs tied to homeownership, such as maintenance, insurance, property taxes and utilities, all expenses that can place additional strain on household budgets over time.' ALSO READ: South Africans cannot afford their homes but also can't afford to sell them Financial adviser can help look at your financial long-term plan However, he says that a financial adviser can help customers look beyond simply qualifying for a loan and ensure they are financially prepared for the long term. 'Many customers focus only on whether they can afford the loan repayment, often neglecting their long-term goals. It is not just about paying the bond. You must plan effectively to secure your long-term financial well-being.' Le Grange says working with a financial adviser helps you to create a realistic budget and prepare for upfront as well as long-term costs. 'A solid financial plan ensures you are ready for the responsibilities that come with homeownership. The goal is to help customers avoid borrowing more than they can manage and stay financially secure in the future.' Le Grange encourages consumers to take these practical steps to check if they can afford a home loan before committing to one: #1: Prepare for ongoing and unexpected costs: When you buy a home, do not just budget for the deposit and monthly home loan payments. Ensure you are ready for other costs, such as repairs, maintenance and higher utility bills. There are also transfer duty, conveyancing fees and bond registration costs, which consumers often overlook. These costs can arise unexpectedly, and therefore it is important to set aside extra money to cover these expenses and avoid financial strain. ALSO READ: Thinking of buying your first home, here are five key issues to consider #2: Test your ability to make home loan repayments: Before committing to a home loan, try putting aside the amount you would pay each month into a savings account. This will help you to see if you can afford the repayment comfortably and, if necessary, adjust your spending habits to make sure you are ready for the commitment. #3: Think about changes in interest rates: Interest rates can change, which means your home loan repayments may increase in the future. It is a good idea to think about how a rate increase could affect your budget and make sure you are in a position to handle any changes to your repayment amount. #4: Choose a loan term that fits your budget: When you take out a home loan, think about how much time you want to pay it off. A shorter loan term will mean higher monthly payments, but you will pay less interest overall. A longer loan term can lower your payments, but you will pay more interest in the long run. Choose a loan term that works for your budget and future needs. ALSO READ: How to finance your home loan if you do not have a regular income #5: Speak with a financial adviser and have a financial plan in place A financial adviser can help you consider your overall financial situation and create a plan that works for your short-term and long-term goals. They can also highlight any risks or hidden costs and suggest the best strategy for managing your home loan while keeping your finances healthy. In a challenging economic environment, affordability and financial resilience have never been more important, Le Grange says. 'Now more than ever, making informed financial decisions is key to building a secure future. Speaking to a trusted financial adviser can help to ensure your choices support both your immediate needs and long-term goals.'
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Bulls down Sharks to book URC final date with Leinster
The Bulls and Leinster will face off in the URC Grand Final at Croke Park next week in a battle between raw power and polished precision. First half recap: Bulls start strong The Bulls stormed out of the gates at Loftus Versfeld, taking early control of the semi-final with sharp attacking execution. Sebastian de Klerk crossed in the seventh minute after a break from Embrose Papier, before Canan Moodie latched onto a cross-kick to make it 12-0. While Jordan Hendrikse got the Sharks on the board with a penalty, discipline issues plagued both sides. Harold Vorster received the first of three Bulls yellow cards, but Johan Goosen extended the lead to 15-3 with a penalty before halftime. The half closed in chaos as the Bulls were twice reduced to 13 men, first with Cameron Hanekom's dangerous tackle and then a yellow card for Marcell Coetzee. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Bulls' defence held firm, repelling multiple Sharks attacks inside their 22. Missed goal kicks and handling errors cost the Durban side dearly, as they failed to capitalise on their dominance in territory and possession. Second half recap: Sharks find their bite, but Bulls hold on The Sharks found a spark after the break, finally making their numbers count. Makazole Mapimpi scored four minutes into the second half, followed soon after by Ethan Hooker, closing the gap to just two points at 15-13. But missed conversions from both tries continued to hurt their chances, as pressure mounted in front of the 47,000-strong Loftus crowd. The Bulls regained their composure, with Keagan Johannes slotting a penalty to create breathing room. Their third and final try came through David Kriel, capping a slick move that began with a Papier break and ended with Cobus Wiese's pass out wide. At 25-13, the Bulls shut the door on any Sharks comeback and booked their place in the Vodacom URC Grand Final for the third time in four seasons. The Bulls will take on Leinster in the 2025 URC Grand Final at Dublin's iconic Croke Park on Saturday. It will be the first final hosted outside South Africa, since the inception of the tournament in its current form. It's a showdown between the tournament's top two seeds, with the Bulls chasing their first title and Leinster looking to end their recent playoff drought. The Pretoria side arrives battle-tested after a gritty semi-final win over the Sharks, while Leinster were clinical in dispatching Glasgow. With contrasting styles and a title on the line, this final promises a fierce contest of physicality, flair, and tactical precision. WHO WILL WIN THE FINAL: THE BULLS OR LEINSTER? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
What time is kick off for the Bulls' URC final?
The Bulls will now travel to Ireland where they will line up against Leinster in the URC Grand Final next Saturday, 14 June, after the two top-ranked teams defeated the Sharks and Glasgow Warriors respectively in a gripping semi-final round on Saturday. The spectacle – the Bulls' third appearance in the final in four seasons – will play out at Croke Park in what will mark Leinster's first final since the 2020/21 season, with the match kicking off at 18:00 (SA time). The Bulls showed nerves of steel in a nail-biting SA derby against the Sharks to register a 25-13 victory at Loftus Versfeld, despite receiving three yellow cards in the first half. The battle in Pretoria, in front of a near capacity crowd of 47,214 fans, was epic as both sides threw everything at one another, although the main difference between the teams was the Bulls' ability to convert most of their chances into points, while their defence was also very good. In stark contrast, the Sharks were again their own worst enemies as they botched several point-scoring chances close to the tryline, conceded penalties at crucial times, and missed four out of their five kicks at goal. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
