Nominees confirmed for Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) Player of the Season

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, 18 June, as part of the series of Vodacom URC Awards for the season

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 11, 2024/ -- The Vodacom Bulls duo of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom are up against the Emirates Lions’ versatile Sanele Nohamba for the coveted Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season Award for 2024.

The Gauteng-based trio garnered the most votes in the nomination process, with Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus, the four South African franchises and local media selecting their star players of the season.

The fleet-footed Arendse, 27, has been in sublime form for the Vodacom Bulls, making 15 clean breaks and scoring eight tries so far this season, but he’s also been brilliant fielding high kicks – both on attack and defence – and he’s made his presence felt with a number of proper defensive hits.

The 22-year-old Hanekom, a former Junior Springbok star, has been a revelation at the back of the Vodacom Bulls’ scrum, with the young No 8 proving his worth as ball carrier and in defence, while he is second overall for offloads with 22, and sixth for turnovers won, with 13.

The nippy Nohamba, in turn, has underlined his value as utility player by shining for the Emirates Lions at scrumhalf and flyhalf, while he has also proved himself to be a very useful kicking option by slotting 32 conversions, 14 penalty goals and a drop goal through the uprights. The 25-year-old’s 119 points scored during the campaign places him fourth overall.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, 18 June, as part of the series of Vodacom URC Awards for the season [click here (https://apo-opa.co/4cjoqgB) for all the categories].

Issued by SA Rugby CommunicationsDistributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.

For further information, please contact:

Andy ColquhounGM: Communications and Commercial+27 (0) 21 928 7010+27 (0) 82 926 0789This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

De Jongh BorchardtCommunications Manager+27 (0) 21 928 7021+27 (0) 82 999 9979This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rayaan AdriaanseJunior Rugby Media Manager+27 (0) 21 928 7013+27 (0) 82 999 0022This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sindiswa XimbaMedia Operations Coordinator+27 (0) 21 928 7011+27 (0) 60 504 1069This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Zeena IsaacsSpringbok Media Manager+27 (0) 21 928 7020+27 (0) 82 357 3112This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JJ HarmseSevens and Women's Rugby Media Manager+27 (0) 21 928 7014+27 (0) 71 480 4570This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SOURCE: South African Rugby