Young Springbok receives top award
Bulls forward Cameron Hanekom was officially unveiled on Wednesday as the 'Next-Gen' Player of the Season, which was voted for by members of the media across all five URC nations.
He joins Ruben van Heerden (Tackle Machine), Tom Farrell (Playmaker), Ioan Llyod (Gilbert Golden Boot), Harri Millard (OFX Top Try Scorer), and Cam Winnett (Ironman) in winning individual awards for their monumental efforts this season.
When it comes to the award claimed by Hanekom, a statement read: '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 the beginning of the 2024/25 season. They must also have played at least nine games in the 2024/25 URC season.
In voting for Hanekom, a member of the media said: 'Cameron Hanekom is supremely powerful in a thoroughly focused way, whether ripping the ball off the opposition or carrying it up. He has learned to be more selective at the breakdown and has a massive engine. A thrilling runner in space as well.
Previous winners of his award include Munster's Jack Crowley (2023/34), Ulster's Tom Stewart (2022/23) and DHL Stormers forward, Evan Roos (2021/22).
In what is effectively a 'Dream Team' for the season, Hanekom has also been named alongside several other South Africans.
Elite XV 15. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby)
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby)
13. Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11. Blair Murray (Scarlets)
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
9. Craig Casey (Munster Rugby) 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
2. Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets)
3. Wilco Louw (Bulls)
4. RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors)
8. Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)
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