Try of the Season, South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season & Innovation Award Winners Announced

June 04, 2026
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Ultimate Rugby

Try of the Season, powered by URC.tv - Angus Bell (Ulster Rugby)

It’s been some season for props scoring sensational award-winning tries.

First, Rhys Carre’s unforgettable effort for Wales against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium was chosen as the best in the Six Nations.

Now fellow loosehead Angus Bell has won Try of the Season award for his own solo stunner.

Try of the Season, South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season & Innovation Award Winners Announced

Try of the Season, powered by URC.tv - Angus Bell (Ulster Rugby)

It’s been some season for props scoring sensational award-winning tries.

First, Rhys Carre’s unforgettable effort for Wales against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium was chosen as the best in the Six Nations.

Now fellow loosehead Angus Bell has won Try of the Season award for his own solo stunner.

Ulster Rugby’s Aussie star is one of the most mobile props in the game and that was illustrated by his prize-winning touchdown against Cardiff Rugby in January.

Picking up from a ruck some 30 metres out, he broke a tackle before delivering an outrageous side-step to go outside one defender and then cut inside another to cross the whitewash to the delight of the Affidea Stadium crowd.

It was a superb score and it’s the one fans have chosen as the URC try of the season via a vote on social media.

Bell’s belter came out on top of a ten-strong short list which also featured special scores by Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), Nico Steyn (Fidelity SecureDrive Lions), David Richards (Dragons RFC), Malik Faissal (Zebre Parma), Wandisile Simelane (DHL Stormers), Dan Kelly (Munster Rugby), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) and Tom Stewart (Ulster Rugby).

A record number of votes were cast this year, close to 10,000 - a 42 per cent increase.

South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season - Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls)

Embrose Papier is now older and wiser and reaping the rewards.

The outstanding form which the Vodacom Bulls scrum-half has shown this term has seen him chosen as the South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season.

His selection was determined by votes from the Springbok coaches, the four franchise coaches and broadcast commentators within his country.

Utilising his scintillating speed, Papier scored nine tries in the regular league campaign, plus two more during a Player of Match display in the quarter-final victory over Munster Rugby, while he has also delivered five assists, beaten 25 defenders and made 15 clean breaks.

His irresistible form saw him called up to the recent Springboks alignment camp, raising the prospect that his eight year wait for another Test opportunity could be about to come to an end.

The Western Cape-born No 9 was just 21 when he was first called up by South Africa in 2018, making his Test debut against Wales that summer.

He went on to win seven caps during that year, but since then he has been in the international wilderness.

However, that could be all about to change with his recall.

“I just kept working. I knew I could still do it. It was just little things I had to work on,” says the 29-year-old.

“I have become a lot calmer over the years and started making better decisions on the field.

“In the past, I used to just pass a lot and see what happens. But now I analyse teams.

“The more experience you gain, the better decisions you make. You can see when the forwards are going forward or being tackled backwards, then you know when to make the ball slow or fast.”

Innovation Award - Vodacom Bulls

Edgar Rathbone, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, Shanil Mangaroo (Head of Marketing), Johan Ackermann (Vodacom Bulls Head Coach)

The entertainment experience lies at the heart of the project which has seen the Vodacom Bulls win the Innovation Award.

It’s a prize which rewards and celebrates efforts to grow the love of the game, with all 16 teams in the league invited to submit entries.

It recognises people behind the scenes who are working hard to make rugby the greatest experience for fans - both on and off the field.

Connecting with supporters and encouraging new audiences to fall in love with rugby is seen as key to continuing to grow the league and the game.

The submission by the Vodacom Bulls - entitled ‘Where Rugby Meets Entertainment’ - has that goal front and centre and it has seen them chosen as the winners of the Innovation Award by a URC Committee.

The Pretoria-based franchise have redefined the matchday experience through a consistent and innovative focus on entertainment, seamlessly blending elite sport with live music and fan engagement.

By creating a dynamic collaboration between rugby and entertainment, they are attracting new audiences and enhancing the overall stadium atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld.

URC Awards Winners 2025-26

Gilbert Golden Boot: Chris Smith (Fidelity SecureDrive Lions)

IPVanish Tackle Machine: Ben Carter (Dragons RFC)

Ironman: Quan Horn (Fidelity SecureDrive Lions)

OFX Top Try Scorer: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)

Playmaker: Jack Walsh (Ospreys)

Next-Gen Player of the Season: Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)

Elite XV: Ntuthuko Mchunu, DHL Stormers (Loosehead Prop), Johann Grobbelaar, Vodacom Bulls (Hooker), Thomas Clarkson, Leinster Rugby (Tighthead Prop), Darragh Murray, Connacht Rugby (Lock / Second Row (4)), Cobus Wiese, Vodacom Bulls (Lock / Second Row (5)), Cian Prendergast, Connacht Rugby (Flanker (6)), Ruan Venter, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions (Flanker (7)), Evan Roos, DHL Stormers (Number 8), Embrose Papier, Vodacom Bulls (Scrum-half), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, DHL Stormers (Fly-half), Kyle Rowe, Glasgow Warriors (Left Wing (No.11)), Stuart McCloskey, Ulster Rugby (Inside Centre), Stafford McDowall, Glasgow Warriors (Outside Centre), Werner Kok, Ulster Rugby (Right Wing (No.14)), Quan Horn, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions (Full-back)

Try of the Season, powered by URC.tv: Angus Bell (Ulster Rugby)

South African Vodacom URC Player of the Season: Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls)

Innovation Award: Vodacom Bulls