Why Springbok Starboy will dominate URC awards

SPOTLIGHT: As the regular season draws to a close, the United Rugby Championship has released some intriguing stats that will certainly keep the Springbok camp happy.

With most of the regular URC playmakers like Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Aphelele Fassi, and Lukhanyo Am on the sidelines due to injury and last season’s URC Player of the Year, Sanele Nohamba, in Japan, another rising star has been making strides in the league.

Already a household name, Jordan Hendrikse could dominate this season’s URC Awards.

Hendrikse, with slick distribution and a sharp boot, made the shortlist for Playmaker of the Season.

The 23-year-old will go up against centre Andre Esterhuizen, who brings his blend of brute force and subtle hands into the Playmaker shortlist and Warrick Gelant, whose seven try assists lead the league.

The others who are up for the award are Munster’s Tom Farrell and Edinburgh’s Wes Goosen.

The Munster star leads all contenders with 49 defenders beaten and an overall score of 132 – the benchmark for attacking contribution – while Goosen clocked a massive 1,120 minutes and contributed 36 defenders beaten.

In the Ironman category, Hendrikse, along with Goosen,  made the cut.

However, Francke Horn, who barely missed a minute for the Lions and has proved to be a vital cog in their side, could be the one walking away with the prize.

The other contestants for Ironman are Cam Winnett, Rio Dyer, and Aneurin Owen, who have racked up over 1000 minutes each.

Hendrikse is also up for the Golden Boot Award. The former Lions star is second overall in points kicked (93), with a superb 91.67% accuracy from the tee.

Ross Byrne and Nathan Doak of Ireland feature in the Golden Boot race with solid points tallies, while Wales’ Ioan Lloyd will contest the Golden Boot with 107 points.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has surprised many with his seven tries – the most by any forward this season. He is in the running for the Top Try-scorer accolade.

Ethan Hooker might bag the title as he has added to the Sharks’ firepower with six tries in a breakout campaign.

The other contestants are Gavin Coombes, Johnny Matthews, George Horne and Jamie Dobie.

Coombes, with six tries, added to his all-round elite season.

Matthews leads the URC with eight tries, and Horne and Dobie also feature with six each – highlighting the Scots’ lethal support play and finishing instincts.

Overall, Wales is the leader when it comes to the Stats-based awards.

The Welsh, despite their troubling season, have 18 players in contention.

Ireland is second with 10, South Africa is third with nine.

Scotland (six) and Italy (four) are at the bottom of the pile.