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Evan Roos completes URC award haul with Player of the Season gong

By Ian Cameron
The South African sides have brought stardust to the URC but there is disquiet in France about their inclusion (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Stormers No.8 Evan Roos has won the United Rugby Championship Player of the Season Award, his fourth URC award of what has been a dream season for the 22-year-old.

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It was a cateogory that was completely dominated by South African players. Roos defeated the challenges from the Vodacom Bulls skipper Marcell Coetzee, his teammate Ruan Nortje, Lukhanyo Am of the Sharks, Lions back row Vincent Tshituka and Stormers back Warrick Gelant.

A media poll, nominations from the coaching staffs of the Springboks and the four competing franchises, and ultimately a fan vote through Vodacom’s digital platforms determined the six finalists.

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Together with his DHL Stormers teammates, Roos celebrated their first victory in an international tournament last weekend. Roos picked up four awards in total, including Breakthrough Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Fan Player of the Season.

“We are delighted for Evan and this award is well deserved given his form and consistency throughout the competition,” said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber. “The fact that he received this honour in a competition featuring some of the best players in the northern hemisphere also shows the depth and quality of players we have in South Africa and especially young players.”

Roos is now set to win his first Test cap, with the No.8 a shoe-in to feature against Wales with Duane Vermuelen recovering from knee surgery.

Vodacom URC Awards Winner List 2021-22

Tackle Machine: Alan O’Connor (Ulster)
Turnover King: Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
Gilbert Golden Boot: Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys)
Top Try Scorer: Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers)
Ironman: Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls)
Next-Gen Player of the Season: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Season: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
Loch Lomond Coach of the Season: Leo Cullen (Leinster)
Players’ Player of the Season: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
Vodacom URC Player of the Season: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)

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Senzo Cicero 11 hours ago
'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in'

1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!

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