Springbok and Stormers flyhalf Feinberg-Mngomezulu SA's URC Player of the season

JOHANNESBURG - Springbok and Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been named as South Africa’s URC Player of the Season for 2024/25.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu beat competition from Bulls prop Wilco Louw and loose-forward Cameron Hanekom to win the prize after a stellar year with the Cape franchise, whose campaign ended in a quarterfinal defeat to the Glasgow Warriors last week.

The playmaker follows in the footsteps of his Stormers teammates Evan Roos and Manie Libbok, who won the award in previous seasons and succeeds Sanele Nohamba, who won it in 2024.

There was some consolation for Hanekom as he took home the Next-Gen Player of the Season award, which recognises the best player under the age of 24 and has played no more than 5 Test matches. Meanwhile, Louw, Hanekom and Feinberg-Mngomezulu were named in the URC’s team of the season along with 4 other South Africans – Bulls prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Lions hooker Marnus van der Merwe, Leinster lock RG Snyman and Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been earmarked as a future star since his junior days and shot to prominence in 2024 as he made his debut for the Boks and was nominated for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year. 

“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. He lit up the field this season and made a massive contribution to his team’s success on attack, scoring in every possible way,” said SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander.

There were also awards for Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden, who received the Tackle Machine Award, given to the player who boasts the best tackle success rate. Flank Deon Fourie’s try for the Stormers against the Scarlets in round 13 was voted as the Try of the Season.