2024-2025 FloRugby URC Season Awards | Team Of The Year & Much More
2024-2025 FloRugby URC Season Awards | Team Of The Year & Much More
Leinster claimed the URC title in a standout season. Read our full wrap-up on surprise teams, top players and the unforgettable match of the year in Durban.

The United Rugby Championship trophy returns to Ireland once again, as Leinster Rugby capped off a dominant campaign with a commanding victory over the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park.
In doing so, Leinster became the fourth different champion in four seasons, following in the footsteps of the DHL Stormers, Munster and the Glasgow Warriors.
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For head coach Leo Cullen and his squad, this was more than just a title; it was a long-overdue reward for a side brimming with promise.
Leinster's physical dominance in the final was emphatic, and the team's tactical execution offered a fitting tribute to the influence of newly installed defense coach Jacques Nienaber.
As the dust settles on a season rich in narrative, we reflect on the most compelling storylines across 21 rounds of action.
Surprise Package Of The Season - Zebre Parma
While Bulls supporters may view another final defeat as a bitter pill, their consistency over the past four seasons cannot be overlooked. Three finals appearances are no small feat, though their inability to clinch the title remains a pressing concern.
At the opposite end of the table, Zebre Parma emerged as the season’s most unexpected success story.
The Italian outfit secured five wins, including victories over Munster, Ulster and Edinburgh, and narrowly missed out in several other fixtures.
In a season shadowed by financial uncertainty and ownership speculation, Zebre's spirited performances silenced doubts about the team's place in the URC. Conversations about a potential playoff push, once fanciful, are now grounded in credibility.
Player Of The Season - Ethan Hooker
Selecting a standout from a 144-match campaign is always contentious, but one name consistently rose above the rest: Ethan Hooker
The 22-year-old utility back was the most reliable figure in a Hollywoodbets Sharks back line filled with Springboks.
His composure, line-breaking ability and defensive work rate earned him a richly deserved Springboks call-up for the upcoming international window.
Other standout performers included Cameron Hanekom of the Bulls, a dynamic back-rower whose absence in the final was sorely felt.
Tommy O’Brien of Leinster returned from injury to become a lethal presence out wide and earned an Ireland call-up.
Tom Farrell of Munster, a former Connacht man, proved a masterstroke signing, anchoring the back line with consistency and craft.
George Horne of the Glasgow Warriors was at his best until the semifinal and remained central to Glasgow’s attacking game.
Also worthy of recognition were David Kriel, Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk of the Bulls, along with RG Snyman of Leinster, Gavin Coombes of Munster, Ross Thompson of Edinburgh and both Blair Murray and Marnus van der Merwe of the Scarlets.
But Hooker’s relentless growth and all-round excellence give him the edge in a highly competitive field.
Game Of The Season - Sharks Vs. Munster QF
There can be no debate here. The quarterfinal clash between the Sharks and Munster in Durban was one of the most dramatic matches in URC history.
Played over an exhausting 100 minutes, including two periods of extra time, the game remained deadlocked and ultimately was decided by a penalty shootout, a URC first.
The match generated global attention, not least due to the viral social media clip of the Sharks' touchline theatrics. Yet, beyond the drama, it was young scrumhalf Bradley Davids who etched his name into URC folklore, calmly converting the decisive penalty.
While debates linger about the sportsmanship of the moment, what remains unquestionable is the legacy of that unforgettable evening, a game that exemplified the emotion, unpredictability and spectacle of rugby at its finest.
FloRugby's URC Team Of The Season
Stacked with international quality players across the league, it is unsurprising just how competitive the URC has become in such a short space of time.
From World Cup winners to British & Irish Lions, the URC is blessed with some of the best athletes the sport has to offer.
Taking this into account, one quite easily could put together hundreds of different dream teams that would be capable of taking down any team in the world. Thus, picking our team of the season was a fun exercise we know will be heavily debated depending on a particular fan's allegiance.
Nevertheless, here is FloRugby's team of the season for the 2024-2025 United Rugby Championship season:
To qualify, a player must have played at least 10 URC matches.
1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), 2. Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), 3. Wilco Louw, (Bulls) 4. RG Snyman (Leinster), 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster), 6. Jack Conan (Leinster), 7. Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), 8. Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), 9. Craig Casey (Munster), 10. Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu, 11. Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls), 12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), 13. Tom Farrell (Munster), 14. Ethan Hooker (Sharks), 15. Blair Murray (Scarlets)
Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), 17. Ox Nche (Sharks), 18. Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), 19. Cobus Wiese (Bulls), 20. Gavin Coombes (Munster), 21. George Horne (Glasgow), 22. Tom Jordan (Glasgow), 23. Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)
Official URC Awards Winners
Ahead of the semifinals, the URC announced its official award winners for the 2024-2025 season, recognizing standout contributions across every facet of the competition.
From reliable veterans to rising stars, the honors reflected a campaign rich in individual excellence.
Scarlets fly-half Ioan Lloyd was named the Gilbert Golden Boot winner for his accuracy off the tee, while Harri Millard of Cardiff Rugby took the OFX Top Try-Scorer Award.
Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers) earned the Tackle Machine title, and Cam Winnett (Cardiff) was recognized as Ironman for his durability and minutes played.
Munster’s Tom Farrell, a linchpin in their back line, was deservedly named Playmaker of the Season.
The prestigious Elite XV featured a mix of proven internationals and emerging talent, including Farrell, Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) and Craig Casey (Munster).
Cameron Hanekom of the Vodacom Bulls not only made the Elite XV but also scooped the Next-Gen Player of the Season, underlining his rapid rise.
Leinster’s RG Snyman was voted Players’ Player of the Season by his peers, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) earned the South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season nod.
Deon Fourie’s stunning finish for the Stormers was named Try of the Season, and the Hollywoodbets Sharks took home the Innovation Award.
Zebre Parma’s Massimo Brunello rounded off the list with a well-earned BKT Coach of the Season honor.
URC Awards Winners 2024-2025
Gilbert Golden Boot: Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets)
OFX Top Try Scorer: Harri Millard (Cardiff Rugby)
Tackle Machine: Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers)
Ironman: Cam Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
Playmaker: Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby)
Elite XV: Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby), Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Craig Casey (Munster Rugby), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby), Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)
Next-Gen Player of the Season: Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)
Innovation Award: Hollywoodbets Sharks
Try of the Season Powered by URC.tv: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers)
South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season: Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)
BKT Coach of the Season: Massimo Brunello (Zebre Parma)
Players’ Player of the Season: RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby)
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