Feinberg-Mngomezulu crowned SA Vodacom URC player of the season

Springbok sensation and DHL Stormers utility back, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, has added yet another milestone to his rapidly growing rugby résumé. After an unforgettable season in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC), the 23-year-old was crowned South Africa’s Vodacom URC Player of the Season for 2024/25, further cementing his status as one of the brightest young stars in the game.

This accolade follows closely on the heels of his SA Rugby Young Player of the Year award and highlights a season in which Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s influence for the Stormers was impossible to ignore. A composed playmaker with a laser-like boot and razor-sharp vision, he not only orchestrated his team’s attack but also played a pivotal role in their kicking strategy.

In a season that saw him go head-to-head with Vodacom Bulls stars Cameron Hanekom and Wilco Louw for the top honour, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s brilliance stood out. His ability to dictate play, score in multiple ways, and remain calm under pressure caught the attention of not only fans but also Springbok and franchise coaches, as well as the local media who took part in the voting process.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu now joins an elite group of previous South African URC Player of the Season winners, including Sanele Nohamba, Evan Roos, and Manie Libbok, all players who have shaped the local rugby narrative over the last few seasons.

“Sacha is undoubtedly one of the finest young talents in the country,” said SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander. “His ability to deliver quality performances consistently is a testament to the excellent player he is. He lit up the field this season and made a massive contribution to his team’s success on attack, scoring in every possible way.”

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s rise has been meteoric. The former Junior Springbok captain made his Test debut against Wales at Twickenham in 2024 and has since earned eight Test caps in a year where the Springboks won 11 out of 13 matches and were crowned Castle Lager Rugby Championship champions.

He was also named in the URC’s prestigious Elite XV for the season, selected via a media vote. Joining him from South Africa were teammates Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), and RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby), while former Toyota Cheetahs hooker Marnus van der Merwe, now at Scarlets, was also included.

Hanekom Shines in Next-Gen Category

Feinberg-Mngomezulu wasn’t the only South African to walk away with silverware this week. Vodacom Bulls powerhouse Cameron Hanekom was named the Next-Gen Player of the Season, an award dedicated to players aged 23 or under with fewer than five international caps at the start of the season.

Hanekom’s consistency and impact across at least nine URC appearances helped the Bulls finish second on the log and saw him rightly recognised by media voters across all five URC nations.

Fourie Bags Try of the Season

Deon Fourie added flair to the awards with his unforgettable try for the DHL Stormers against Scarlets, which claimed the Try of the Season title. In a move showcasing teamwork, offloads, dummies and fast feet, Fourie’s finish topped a list of ten incredible tries nominated from throughout the URC campaign.

Van Heerden: A Defensive Rock

Defensively, DHL Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden stood tall, quite literally, by taking home the Tackle Machine Award. The award, given to the player with the highest tackle success rate among those who attempted 150 tackles or more, went to Van Heerden, who landed a staggering 171 tackles with an impressive 98% success rate.

He edged out Rory Darge of the Glasgow Warriors and Sharks’ loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi to claim the award, proving his worth as one of the URC’s most reliable defenders.

Sharks Celebrate Off the Field Too

It wasn’t just the players receiving accolades. The Hollywoodbets Sharks were celebrated for their off-field excellence with the Innovation Award for SharksFest. The Durban-based franchise’s commitment to improving the match day experience and fan engagement, both digitally and in-stadium, was recognised by a special panel.

Their blend of entertainment and social purpose created a festive, immersive rugby experience and set a new benchmark for fan interaction in the URC.

Elite XV – South Africa Well Represented

South African players featured prominently in the 2024/25 URC Elite XV:

• 15. Jamie Osborne (Leinster)
• 14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh)
• 13. Tom Farrell (Munster)
• 12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
• 11. Blair Murray (Scarlets)
• 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
• 9. Craig Casey (Munster)
• 8. Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)
• 7. Rory Darge (Glasgow)
• 6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
• 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
• 4. RG Snyman (Leinster)
• 3. Wilco Louw (Bulls)
• 2. Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets)
• 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)

With the Vodacom Bulls set to take on the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Pretoria this weekend for a place in the URC Grand Final, South African rugby continues to thrive both on and off the pitch. And with talents like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu leading the charge, the future looks nothing short of extremely bright.