Latest news with #RubenvanHeerden
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sacha leads the way for SA in URC as he's named Player of Season
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's playmaking and goal-kicking has led to him tallying 98 points for himself and many more for the Stormers this URC. Stormers star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been voted the URC's SA Player of the Season. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Despite missing half the season to injury, utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been voted South Africa's United Rugby Championship (URC) Player of the Season. The 23-year-old Stormers star joins Cameron Hanekom, Deon Fourie, and Ruben van Heerden among the local players to receive honours for their performances during the URC's regular season. He was up against eighthman Hanekom and tighthead prop Wilco Louw from the Bulls for the award. Sacha 'lit up the field' In the end, his playmaking and goal-kicking were determined to have made a greater impact for his side as he amassed 98 points in 10 matches. These included four tries, four drop-goals, eight penalties and 21 conversions, plus many more scores he created for others. 'Sacha is undoubtedly one of the finest young talents in the country. His ability to deliver quality performances consistently is a testament to the excellent player he is,' said SA Rugby President Mark Alexander. 'He lit up the field this season and made a massive contribution to his team's success on attack, scoring in every possible way.' The eight-capped Springbok was also awarded the SA Rugby Young Player of the Year in 2024. But he is not the only bright light for South Africa on the global stage. More SA players shine in the URC Hanekom was named the URC's Next-Gen Player of the Season for his carries, tackling and steals at the breakdown that played a role in the Bulls' wrestling momentum from sides and helping them finish second on the table. Meanwhile, Fourie's stunning score for the DHL Stormers against Scarlets was voted the Try of the Season. The experienced Springbok forward got on the end of a sensational team effort, jam-packed full of offloads, dummies and sizzling footwork. There were 10 tries in total nominated, with Fourie beating some stiff competition for the award. The 38-year-old flanker will appreciate the nod after a difficult season battling a bad leg injury that looked to end his career at one point. This while another Stormers player, lock Ruben van Heerden was named as the recipient of the Tackle Machine Award. This after making 171 tackles at an incredible success rate of 98%. 'It's easy for players to go and hide in defence. But I think that is where character is shown,' Van Heerden said after receiving his award. The Sharks won the Innovation Award for SharksFest, aimed at growing digital fan engagement, matchday experience and social purpose. URC's Elite XV The tournament's Elite XV includes five locally-based South African players and two playing overseas (Marnus van der Merwe and RG Snyman). Elite XV: Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Tom Farrell (Munster), André Esterhuizen (Sharks), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Craig Casey (Munster), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), RG Snyman (Rugby), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘Where character is shown': Van Heerden honoured with URC's Tackle Machine title
'It's easy for players to go and hide in defence but I think that is where character is shown,' said Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden after receiving his Tackle Machine award. With the first United Rugby Championship (URC) awards coming in, and a Stormers man receiving a top prize, we can expect to see more South Africans receiving recognition for their role played in the scintillating season we have had so far. Lock Ruben van Heerden, 27, was the first local player to receive a nod, winning the Tackle Machine award. He made 171 tackles at an incredible 98% success rate in the regular season. The URC explained that they considered all players who had attempted more than 150 tackles for this award. The 27-year-old edged Glasgow Warriors forward Rory Darge who made 160 tackles with an accuracy of 97%, as well as Hollywoodbets Sharks star Phepsi Buthelezi in third place, with 157 tackles, and a tackle accuracy of 96.82%, the organisation explained. 'I never want to be known as a guy who is inconsistent,' Van Heerden said in a video shared by the Stormers. 'There is a good quote that goes 'consistency is the only currency that matters'. So that is something I definitely take to heart… It's easy for players to go and hide in defence but I think that is where character is shown. So for me it is just a great honour.' SA players miss out Buthelezi can be proud of his tally, having played 154 minutes fewer than Van Heerden. But he may appear in the semi-finals and final, while the latter will not. Van Heerden's Stormers teammate Leolin Zas almost took the prize for top try-scorer, equaling the winner's tally of nine tries. However, Cardiff's Harri Millard played fewer minutes and so took the trophy home. Stormers fullback Warrick Gelant (118 points) and Lions star Quan Horn (111 points) also played second fiddle to Munster's Tom Farrell, who earned the Playmaker of the Season Award for creating chances leading to 158 points. Sharks flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse (108) missed out on the Golden Boot award to Ioan Lloyd of Scarlets (124 points). Who could still win URC honours? Jordan Hendrikse, Deon Fourie and Henco van Wyk are all up for the Try of the Season Award. Lions centre Van Wyk has his name in a second hat. The 24-year-old rising star is joined by teammate Quan Horn, Bulls stars Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Cameron Hanekom, and Stormers players Suleiman Hartzenberg and Andre-Hugo Venter for the Next-Gen Player of the Season Award. While Bulls boss Jake White said he hopes Wilco Louw wins the South African Player of the Season Award, Louw is joined by teammate Cameron Hanekom and Stormers mercurial back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the running.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Stormers bruiser locks in URC award
Ruben van Heerden has been crowned the Vodacom United Rugby Championship's (URC) Tackle Machine for 2024-25, highlighting his superb defensive impact for the Stormers this season. The award celebrates the best defender among players who made at least 150 tackles this season, marking Van Heerden as one of South Africa's top performers heading into the URC semi-finals. The towering lock topped the charts with 171 tackles at a staggering 98% success rate, edging out Glasgow's Rory Darge (160 tackles, 97%) and Sharks loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi (157 tackles, 96.8%). Stormers fans have more to cheer about, with winger Leolin Zas sharing the Top Try Scorer title (nine tries) alongside Cardiff's Harri Millard and Munster's Tom Farrell, though Millard ultimately claimed the prize by scoring his nine tries in the fewest minutes played. MORE: Four Boks in race for URC's young gun award Fullback Warrick Gelant also featured strongly, finishing second in the Playmaker Award standings. Gelant's creativity and offloads helped him push Munster's Tom Farrell, who took top honours thanks to his combined tally of try assists (5), offloads (41) and defenders beaten (61). The Sharks were represented on the leaderboard through flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse, who finished second in the Golden Boot category with 108 points, while Lions fullback Quan Horn claimed third in the Playmaker Award race. These awards come as the URC celebrates its standout players before naming the prestigious Elite XV, Next-Gen Player of the Season, Coach of the Season and Players' Player of the Season later this week. URC 2025-25 awards winners Golden Boot: Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets) Top Try Scorer: Harri Millard (Cardiff) Tackle Machine: Ruben van Heerden (Stormers) Ironman: Cam Winnett (Cardiff) Playmaker: Tom Farrell (Munster) The post Stormers bruiser locks in URC award appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
