URC Awards: URC recognising the league's finest

As the United Rugby Championship edges closer to crowning its 2024/25 Champion, the winners of the URC Awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

The annual URC Awards recognise excellence both on and off the field, rewarding players, coaches and clubs for their outstanding work throughout the season and for their contribution to the success of the league.

A total of 12 individual prizes are up for grabs, along with places in the end-of-season Elite XV.

While some of the awards are determined by URC StatMaster data provided by Oval Insights, others will be voted on by a panel of media representatives from all five territories involved in the competition while the Try of the Season, powered by URC.tv, will be settled by a fans vote.

The BKT Coach of the Season will be voted for by the coaches with the captains and vice-captains of each team deciding the Player’s Player of the Season.

There is also a brand new award this season, the ‘Playmaker’ award. Creativity, adaptability and composure under pressure define a true playmaker. The Playmaker Award is given to the player who creates chances and tries for his team, with three key metrics used to decide the winner – try assists for his team, successfully completed offloads and defenders beaten on the pitch.

The Innovation Award will also once again be up for grabs for our clubs this season, with the South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season award on offer for players from the four South African franchises, which forms part of the annual SA Rugby Awards.

All awards will be announced during semi-finals week this season, with the Gilbert Golden Boot, Ironman, OFX Top Try Scorer, Playmaker and Tackle Machine awards all set to be announced on Tuesday, June 3.

Wednesday, June 4 will see the Elite XV unveiled, as well the identity of the Next-Gen Player of the Season.

On Thursday, June 5, we will announce the winners of the Innovation Award, as well as the Try of the Season powered by URC.tv, and the South Africa Vodacom URC Player of the Season.

The BKT Coach of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season round off the awards on Friday, June 6.

Here is a full list of the awards on offer, the winning criteria and when the victors will be announced.

Gilbert Golden Boot

Criteria: The Gilbert Golden Boot is awarded in recognition of the player who kicks the most points in the regular season.

Winner announced: Tuesday, June 3

Ironman

Criteria: Given to the player who has racked up the most minutes in the regular season.

Winner announced: Tuesday, June 3

OFX Top Try Scorer

Criteria: Awarded to the player who has scored the most tries during the regular season.

Winner announced: Tuesday, June 3

Playmaker

Criteria: The Playmaker Award is given to the player who creates chances and tries for his team, with three key metrics used to decide the winner – try assists for his team (3 points for each one), successfully completed offloads (2 points for each one), and defenders beaten on the pitch (1 point for each one beaten).

Winner announced: Tuesday, June 3

Tackle Machine

Criteria: Players who have made 150 or more tackles during the regular season will be eligible for the award, with the individual who boasts the highest accuracy taking home the prize.

Winner announced: Tuesday, June 3

Elite XV

Criteria: Determined by a media vote, players must have made at least nine appearances to be considered, with the media panel provided a shortlist of 10 per position by URC StatMaster. The player with the most votes in each position earns a place in the team.

Winners announced: Wednesday, June 4

Next-Gen Player of the Season

Criteria: This award is open to players who were aged 23 and under at the beginning of the 2024/25 season and had earned no more than five international caps at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.

It is another that will be determined by a media vote and the nine-appearance threshold also applies here. This award is to recognise young up-and-coming talent.

Winners announced: Wednesday, June 4

Innovation Award

Criteria: Determined by the URC, clubs will be rewarded for innovation by growing the game through digital fan engagement, match day experience and social purpose.

Clubs who break the mould and demonstrate driving a real by increasing following and revenue will be considered.

Winners announced: Thursday, June 5

Try of the Season powered by URC.tv

Criteria: There will be a shortlist of 10 of the top tries of the season. The try which receives the most votes from the fans will be the winner.

Winners announced: Thursday, June 5

South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season

Criteria: Awarded to a player from one of the four South African franchises. This will form as part of the annual SA Rugby Awards and will be determined by votes from the South African media, the four South African franchise coaches, and the Springboks head coach.

Winners announced: Thursday, June 5

BKT Coach of the Season

Criteria: The URC’s top coach will be voted for by the competition’s head coaches.

Winners announced: Friday, June 6

Players’ Player of the Season

Criteria: This prestigious award will be voted on by the captain and vice-captain of all 16 teams, with all nominees again required to have made a minimum of nine appearances.

Winners announced: Friday, June 6