The curtains have drawn on another thrilling United Rugby Championship (URC) season, culminating in the prestigious Team of the Season announcement. Dominated by players from the Springboks, the lineup features a strong contingent from the Bulls and Stormers, each contributing three players. This year’s selection underscores the rich tapestry of talent threading through the league, representing a total of seven teams.
The composition of the team reflects a diverse geographic spread with the Lions, Ulster, Connacht, and Glasgow Warriors each placing two players in the elite squad, whereas Leinster sees a solitary entry despite their competitive performance. Notably absent from the list are any representatives from Cardiff and Munster, both of whom finished in the top eight.
In the backline, Lions' Quan Horn has secured the full-back position, with Ulster's Werner Kok and Glasgow's Kyle Rowe on the wings. The midfield partnership features Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey alongside Glasgow’s Stafford McDowall. The critical half-back roles are filled by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Embrose Papier, a duo that has shown remarkable synergy throughout the season.
The forward pack is equally impressive, with Stormers' Evan Roos, Lions' Ruan Venter, and Connacht’s Cian Prendergast forming a formidable back-row trio. In the engine room, Bulls’ Cobus Wiese pairs with Connacht's Darragh Murray. The front row sees Thomas Clarkson from Leinster, Bulls’ Johann Grobbelaar, and Stormers’ Ntuthuko Mchunu completing the setup.
"This selection not only highlights individual excellence but also the strategic collaborations on the field that often go unnoticed,"
Paul de Villiers' absence from the team, despite his recent alignment with the Springboks camp, was one of the more controversial omissions, sparking discussions about the selection criteria, which requires players to have participated in at least nine regular-season games.
A panel of media experts from across the URC territories, equipped with a confidential shortlist, cast their votes to determine the final team. This meticulous process ensures that only the most deserving athletes make the cut, celebrating those who have consistently demonstrated skill, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the season.
The URC Elite XV for the season is as follows: Quan Horn (15), Werner Kok (14), Stafford McDowall (13), Stuart McCloskey (12), Kyle Rowe (11), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (10), Embrose Papier (9), Evan Roos (8), Ruan Venter (7), Cian Prendergast (6), Cobus Wiese (5), Darragh Murray (4), Thomas Clarkson (3), Johann Grobbelaar (2), and Ntuthuko Mchunu (1).
As the URC season wraps up, this selection not only celebrates the standout performers but also sets the stage for upcoming talents eager to make their mark in the rich landscape of international rugby.
349 posts
The curtains have drawn on another thrilling United Rugby Championship (URC) season, culminating in the prestigious Team of the Season announcement. Dominated by players from the Springboks, the lineup features a strong contingent from the Bulls and Stormers, each contributing three players. This year’s selection underscores the rich tapestry of talent threading through the league, representing a total of seven teams.
The composition of the team reflects a diverse geographic spread with the Lions, Ulster, Connacht, and Glasgow Warriors each placing two players in the elite squad, whereas Leinster sees a solitary entry despite their competitive performance. Notably absent from the list are any representatives from Cardiff and Munster, both of whom finished in the top eight.
In the backline, Lions' Quan Horn has secured the full-back position, with Ulster's Werner Kok and Glasgow's Kyle Rowe on the wings. The midfield partnership features Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey alongside Glasgow’s Stafford McDowall. The critical half-back roles are filled by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Embrose Papier, a duo that has shown remarkable synergy throughout the season.
The forward pack is equally impressive, with Stormers' Evan Roos, Lions' Ruan Venter, and Connacht’s Cian Prendergast forming a formidable back-row trio. In the engine room, Bulls’ Cobus Wiese pairs with Connacht's Darragh Murray. The front row sees Thomas Clarkson from Leinster, Bulls’ Johann Grobbelaar, and Stormers’ Ntuthuko Mchunu completing the setup.
"This selection not only highlights individual excellence but also the strategic collaborations on the field that often go unnoticed,"
Paul de Villiers' absence from the team, despite his recent alignment with the Springboks camp, was one of the more controversial omissions, sparking discussions about the selection criteria, which requires players to have participated in at least nine regular-season games.
A panel of media experts from across the URC territories, equipped with a confidential shortlist, cast their votes to determine the final team. This meticulous process ensures that only the most deserving athletes make the cut, celebrating those who have consistently demonstrated skill, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the season.
The URC Elite XV for the season is as follows: Quan Horn (15), Werner Kok (14), Stafford McDowall (13), Stuart McCloskey (12), Kyle Rowe (11), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (10), Embrose Papier (9), Evan Roos (8), Ruan Venter (7), Cian Prendergast (6), Cobus Wiese (5), Darragh Murray (4), Thomas Clarkson (3), Johann Grobbelaar (2), and Ntuthuko Mchunu (1).
As the URC season wraps up, this selection not only celebrates the standout performers but also sets the stage for upcoming talents eager to make their mark in the rich landscape of international rugby.