The first batch of 2025/26 URC Awards has been announced ahead of the semi-finals, with South Africans dominating the individual prizes.
Chris Smith has claimed the Gilbert Golden Boot for a second consecutive season — having won it in 2024 with the Bulls — after finishing as the URC's leading points scorer with 149, comprising 17 penalties and 49 conversions across the regular season. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was his nearest challenger on 113 points.
Smith credits Lions kicking coach Morne Steyn as central to his consistency. "You honestly couldn't have a much better mentor. He's probably one of the best ball strikers the game has ever seen," the 31-year-old said. "To be able to learn from him has been priceless."
Lions winger Quan Horn has claimed the Ironman award for the second time, having first won it in 2023, while Evan Roos takes the OFX Top Try Scorer prize.
Wales lock Ben Carter of the Dragons wins the IPVanish Tackle Machine award with a 97.6 per cent tackle accuracy from 150-plus attempts during the regular season. Irish playmaker Jack Walsh collects the Playmaker award.
The remaining honours — including the Elite XV, Next-Gen Player of the Season, South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season, BKT Coach of the Season, Try of the Season, and Players' Player of the Season — are set to be announced during the week.