RG Snyman clinches peer-voted URC award as surprise coach claims top gong after ‘wonderful’ campaign

Leinster second-row RG Snyman has been crowned the United Rugby Championship Players’ Player of the Season after an impressive 2024/25 campaign for the province.

Snyman’s “X-Factor” has been lauded as a key reason he’s been named by his peers.

The Springboks forward has been a key figure for Leinster this season following his switch from Munster over the summer and has enjoyed a fine debut campaign.

The towering lock helped his team to the top of the table in the regular season, with his offload game in particular being pivotal to the Irish side’s success this season.

Unique skillset

One fellow player applauded Snyman‘s “unique skillset” – branding him a “very tough” opponent.

“A threat all over the park. Strong in the set-piece and has a unique skillset which makes him very tough to play against,” he said.

Previous winners of this award include Munster’s Jack Crowley last season, Leinster’s Dan Sheehan back in 2022/23, and Stormers forward Evan Roos in 2021/22.

There was another prestigious award announced on Friday as Zebre Parma boss Massimo Brunello was crowned Coach of the Season after a much-improved season.

Coach of the Season is voted for by the league’s head coaches, with Brunello receiving the recognition from his peers after they bounced back from a poor 2023/24.

Brunello has transformed Zebre Parma this season, leading them to win over Munster, Ospreys and Dragons at home, as well as away wins at Ulster and Edinburgh.

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Their away victory against Ulster ended a four-year wait for a URC triumph on the road, and was backed up the following week with another win away against Edinburgh.

One of his fellow coaches said: “Massimo made Zebre even more competitive this season with some impressive wins on the road. These results made qualification for the top eight interesting until late in the competition.”

Previous winners of this award include Graham Rowntree last season, and Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith back in 2022/23.

Lucia Salmaso, CEO of BKT Europe, said: “Massimo has done a wonderful job this season with Zebre Parma, guiding them to some famous wins against tough opposition.

“He has demonstrated excellent leadership in his first season at the helm, creating history with Zebre’s first away win in four years.

“In creating a custom ring for him as the BKT Coach of the Season, we want this achievement to live long in the memory.

“Congratulations to Massimo on his fantastic work this season and we wish him all the best in the future.”

URC Awards Winners 2024/25

Gilbert Golden Boot: Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets)

OFX Top Try Scorer: Harri Millard (Cardiff Rugby)

Tackle Machine: Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers)

Ironman: Cam Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)

Playmaker: Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby)

Elite XV: Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby), Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Craig Casey (Munster Rugby), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby), Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)

Next-Gen Player of the Season: Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)

Innovation Award: Hollywoodbets Sharks

Try of the Season Powered by URC.tv: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers)

South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season: Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)

BKT Coach of the Season: Massimo Brunello (Zebre Parma)

Players’ Player of the Season: RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby)

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