Springboks’ highly talented playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been named SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season following his performances in 2025.
The fly-half struggled with injury in the first half of the season, playing just three times prior to March, but since his return the 23-year-old has impressed.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu took on the fly-half role for the Stormers and guided them to four victories in five matches as their late surge sealed a URC play-off place.
Despite a disappointing defeat in the quarter-finals against Glasgow Warriors, and a subpar display by the playmaker himself, the pivot saw off competition from Bulls duo Wilco Louw and Cameron Hanekom to claim the award.
‘One of the finest young talents in the country’
“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,” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said.
“He lit up the field this season and made a massive contribution to his team’s success on attack, scoring in every possible way.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu follows ex-Lions playmaker Sanele Nohamba and Stormers team-mates, Evan Roos and Manie Libbok, in being named South Africa’s URC Player of the Season.
The fly-half fended off fellow Springboks Louw and Hanekom, who have once again enjoyed stellar seasons at the Bulls, to win the title.
Tighthead prop Louw has been the premier scrummager, almost always dominating opposition looseheads, and has been a regular feature in the Planet Rugby URC Team of the Week.
As for his forward compatriot, Hanekom continues to produce consistently excellent performances despite only turning 23 last month.
And although he missed out on that title to Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the number eight was named as Next-Gen Player of the Season on Wednesday, which was voted by the media from the five nations involved in the competition.
All three players were also named in the URC’s Elite XV and look set to play a huge part for Rassie Erasmus’ Boks in 2025.
In Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks squad
Earlier on Thursday, Erasmus named his squad for the upcoming mid-year series with that trio selected in the 54-man group for the matches against Barbarians, Italy and Georgia.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu made his debut for the Boks last year and earned eight caps, but injury ruled him out of the latter part of the Test campaign.
Hanekom was also new to international rugby in 2024 with his one and only appearance coming in their final encounter of the year against Wales.
Louw, meanwhile, enjoyed a Boks renaissance and started against both England and the Welsh – the former being his first appearance at Test level since 2021.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sacha-feinberg-mngomezulu-wins-prestigious-urc-award-as-gifted-playmaker-beats-fellow-springboks-to-the-title
