South Africans dominate URC's try-scoring charts
South Africans have dominated the URC’s try scoring charts, making up five of the top six come the end of the regular season. Stormers winger Leolin Zas topped the charts with 11 first class finishes across the campaign.
Zas claimed his accolade alongside fellow South African and Bulls second-row Ruan Nortje, who took home the ‘Ironman’ award for playing the most minutes throughout the 18 rounds of the URC.
Other winners included Ulster’s Alan O’Connor, who claimed the highest tackle count, and Ospreys duo Jac Morgan, who won the most turnovers, and Gareth Anscombe, who claimed the Gilbert Golden Boot.
“It is incredible to think that I finished the regular season as the top try scorer in the competition,” Zas said. “A lot of those tries are down to the hard work of my teammates creating the opportunities for me to finish. I am grateful to them, the management, my family and our fans for the amazing support I have got this season.”
Zas started the season imperiously, scoring at least one try in each of his first six URC outings. His place at the top of the charts looked beyond doubt, until fellow South African fullback Rhyno Smith claimed seven tries in his last three appearances for Benetton, drawing level with Zas on 10.
The Stormers star soon responded, scoring the opening try in his side’s Round 18 victory over the Scarlets to maintain the top spot.
Fellow winger and Stormers teammate Seabelo Senatla finished joint third in the charts with nine tries, sharing the spot with Bulls flanker Marcell Coetzee. The Bull’s Johan Grobbelaar and the Scarlets’ Johnny McNicholl came fifth with eight tries a piece.
South African contingents, specifically from the Bulls, also dominated the Ironman award. Nortje played a total of 1,394 minutes and was one of 14 men to feature in all 18 league games.
“I am humbled and honoured to receive the United Rugby Championship Ironman Award for the 2021/22 season,” he said. “To receive this recognition in a world-class competition with some of the most respected players is definitely something that will remain a highlight in my playing career. To be able to put on the blue jersey and play for the badge in such a premier championship is something I do not take lightly. I look forward to many more memories and matches in the URC.”
Fellow Bulls players Coetzee and Madosh Tambwe came third and fourth respectively, both clocking almost 1,300 on-field minutes. Stormers duo Ruhan Nel and Manie Libbok came second and fifth, completing an all-South African top five.
The dream team and next-gen star of the season will be announced later in the week while fans’ player of the season, the coach of the season and players’ player of the season will be announced before the URC final.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments