Lions star Sanele Nohamba crowned South Africa's URC Player of the Season

The utility back put in a series of stellar performances at both scrumhalf and flyhalf for the Johannesburg-based outfit over the past eight months, earning him a place in the first Springbok alignment camp of the year.

The 25-year-old Nohamba follows in the footsteps of Stormers duo Evan Roos and Manie Libbok, who won this award in the first two seasons of URC. The other 2024 nominees were the Bulls' duo of Cameron Hanekom and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

The trio garnered the most votes in the nomination process, with Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus, the four South African franchises and local media selecting their star players of the season.

Nohamba - who has progressed through SA Rugby's Elite Player Development pipeline and honed his skills for the SA Schools and Junior Springbok sides - started 17 of the Lions' 18 games in 2023/24. He scored two tries, and added 32 conversions, 14 penalty goals and a drop goal for a personal tally of 119 points, which placed him fourth overall after the league phase of the competition.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander congratulated Nohamba on his exceptional season, which also earned him an invitation to the Springbok alignment camps.

"It's often said that there is no more space in our game for players who are smaller in stature, but Sanele disproved that assumption this season," said Alexander.

"What he lacks in size, he makes up for in skill, heart, and temperament. This award is a testament to his remarkable attitude. Sanele adapted seamlessly from scrumhalf to flyhalf and excelled in the No. 10 jersey, catching the attention of Rassie Erasmus.

"The Lions came very close to making the playoffs for the first time, and Sanele was one of their standout players this season. He is a deserving recipient of the Vodacom URC Player of the Season award."

Sitho Mdlalose, CEO of Vodacom South Africa, said: "We're delighted to recognise what has been a magnificent season for Sanele Nohamba. Sanele has been a true inspiration with his exciting play for the Emirates Lions, and he really embodies the ethos of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with his fighting spirit and his selfless service to his team.

"Sanele has taken his talent and passion for the game all the way from his upbringing in Alice in the Eastern Cape right to the biggest stages in world rugby, and now even into challenging for Springbok selection.

"We're privileged to have played a part in providing the platform for his talent to shine and grow, and to be able to recognise the hard work he's put in to make this such a defining season for him."

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