Seven Springboks feature in the URC Team of the Season as Bulls dominate

Seven Springboks have been named in the URC Team of the Season, with two 2023 Rugby World Cup winners making the Elite XV.

The Bulls dominate the team with six of Jake White’s stars selected by the media with only players who have played nine URC matches eligible to make the XV.

Team of the Season

An all-Springboks front row makes the XV with 2023 World Cup-winning Sharks prop Ox Nche selected at loosehead along with Bulls’ hooker Akker van der Merwe and his clubmate Wilco Louw at tighthead.

Munster captain and Ireland lock Tadhg Beirne is selected at lock along with Bulls star Ruan Nortje.

The Bulls dominate the loose trio as well, with breakout star Cameron Hanekom picked as the number eight, along with Bok Elrigh Louw on the flank. Edinburgh’s Jamie Ritchie completes the back-row after winning more turnovers during the URC regular season than any other player.

2024 URC Next-Gen Player of the Season Jack Crowley claimed the number ten jumper ahead of top scorer Chris Smith from the Bulls, and fellow Irish international John Cooney joins the Munster fly-half after his sensational season with Ulster.

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After a blockbuster debut season at Munster, New Zealand centre Alex Nankivell claims the number 12 jersey and is joined by Glasgow Warriors’ star Sione Tuipulotu.

Glasgow’s only representative in the XV is Tuipulotu, while fellow semi-finalists Leinster also have just one player, winger Jordan Larmour.

Two more Springboks complete the team in Stormers’ fullback Warrick Gelant – who enjoyed a standout season on his return to the Cape-based side – and Bulls’ winger Kurt-Lee Arendse.

URC Elite XV 2023/24

URC Elite XV: 15 Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers), 14 Jordan Larmour (Leinster Rugby), 13 Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), 12 Alex Nankivell (Munster Rugby), 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), 10 Jack Crowley (Munster Rugby), 9 John Cooney (Ulster Rugby), 8 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), 7 Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), 6 Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), 5 Ruan Nortjé (Vodacom Bulls), 4 Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby), 3 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), 2 Akker van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), 1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

URC 2023/24 Award Winners

Tackle Machine: Alessandro Izekor (Benetton Rugby)
Turnover King: Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby)
Gilbert Golden Boot: Chris Smith (Vodacom Bulls)
OFX Top Try Scorer: Johnny Matthews (Glasgow Warriors)
Ironman Award: Shane Daly (Munster Rugby)
Next-Gen Player of the Season: Jack Crowley (Munster Rugby)
Try of the Season Powered by URC.tv: Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Elixirr Innovation Award: Benetton

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