Vodacom Bulls forward Cameron Hanekom has been named as Next-Gen Player of the Season. The prestigious award was voted for by members of the media across all five Vodacom URC nations.
This award is to recognise young up-and-coming talent. This category is open to players who were aged 23 or under at the start of the season, and had earned no more than five international caps at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
They must also have played at least nine games in the 2024/25 Vodacom URC season.
Hanekom has been a key player for the Vodacom Bulls this season, helping them finish second in regular season table. He started 11 from the 14 regular-season matches he has featured in, scoring three tries and ranking in the top 5 of the league’s top offloaders. He also features in the top 15 in the carriers and defence beaters.
In voting for Hanekom, a member of the media said: “Cameron Hanekom is supremely powerful in a thoroughly focused way, whether ripping the ball off the opposition or carrying it up. He has learned to be more selective at the breakdown and has a massive engine. A thrilling runner in space as well.
Previous winners of his award include Munster’s Jack Crowley (2023/34), Ulster’s Tom Stewart (2022/23) and DHL Stormers forward, Evan Roos (2021/22).
