Standout Performers Shining in Vodacom United Rugby Championship
The Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) round 14 has come and gone, filled with intriguing results as the playoff race intensifies with just four games remaining. Now that the dust has settled on the action, we take a closer look at the top performers in the URC to date, with some emerging leaders making their mark.
Aphelele Fassi: The ‘Forgotten Springbok’ Finds His Form
Aphelele Fassi, the ‘Forgotten Springbok,’ has been a shining light in a battling Sharks outfit. The talented fullback last donned the green and gold jersey against Wales in 2022 but has since fallen out of the Springboks’ picture. However, his hard work and continued growth have been evident this season, as he leads the URC in two key categories. Fassi has gained an impressive 967 metres with ball in hand, 150 metres more than any other player in the competition. His 18 clean breaks also top the charts, showcasing his attacking prowess. While his defensive game was once a concern, Fassi’s all-around improvement may be enough to convince the Springboks selectors.
Gavin Coombes: Munster’s Workhorse
Munster’s Gavin Coombes has been a workhorse for his province, leading the URC in total carries with 191, well ahead of Fassi’s 148 and Stormers’ Evan Roos’ 148. Connacht’s Cathal Forde (139) and Glasgow Warriors’ Josh McKay (138) round out the top five in this category.
Josh McKay: The Most Effective Player with Ball in Hand
McKay has also been the most effective player with ball in hand, registering an impressive 37 defenders beaten, closely followed by his Glasgow teammate Stafford McDowall with 36. Scarlets’ Ioan Lloyd, Edinburgh’s Wes Goosen, and Duhan van der Merwe complete the top five in this metric.
Ben Healy: Leading the Points Scorers
Fly-half Ben Healy of Edinburgh leads the way in points scored with 138, ahead of Bulls’ Johan Goosen (114), Cardiff’s Tinus de Beer (106), Connacht’s JJ Hanrahan (104), and Benetton’s Jacob Umaga (97).
Johnny Matthews: The ‘Five Tries’ Sensation
Glasgow hooker Johnny ‘Five Tries’ Matthews is the clear leader in the try-scoring charts with 12 touchdowns, four more than Bulls’ Akker van der Merwe on eight. Kyle Rowe of Glasgow, Ulster’s Tom Stewart, and Lions’ Francke Horn share the fifth spot with seven tries each.
Alex Craig: The Tackling Machine
In the tackles made category, Scarlets’ Alex Craig tops the list with a remarkable 181 tackles, followed by Stormers’ Ruben van Heerden (174), Coombes (164), Ulster’s Nick Timoney, and Connacht’s Shamus Hurley-Langton (both on 155).
As the URC race to the playoffs intensifies, these standout performers continue to make their mark on the competition, captivating rugby union enthusiasts across the region.
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