SA players are leading the URC Influence Index after 12 league rounds.

WHAT IS THE URC INFLUENCE INDEX? 

Players are ranked based on verified appearances across multiple high-impact categories in the URC:

• Attack: defenders beaten, metres, breaks, offloads

• Defence: tackles, turnovers won

• Set-piece: lineouts, steals

• Game control: kicking metres, points, goal-kicking

 The more categories a player influences statistically, the higher the ranking.

URC TOP 10 SA INFLUENCE INDEX (AFTER 12 ROUNDS)

1. Sebastian de Klerk (Wing/Centre, Bulls)

The competition’s most complete attacking player

• 41 defenders beaten

• 607 metres

• 17 clean breaks

• 15 offloads

De Klerk appears across four elite attacking categories, the most among South African players.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

2. Chris Smith (No 10, Lions)

The URC’s scoreboard controller

• 92 points (1st)

• 25 conversions (1st)

• 14 penalties

• 1934 kick metres

3. Quan Horn (Fullback, Lions)

Horn’s balance in all areas is his strength

• 2529 kick metres (2nd)

• 494 metres

• 96 carries

• 13 offloads

4. Jeandre Rudolph (No 8, Bulls)

Breakdown King

• 16 turnovers won (1st)

• 112 tackles

Rudolph is the league’s elite jackal.

5. Marnus van der Merwe (Hooker, Cardiff)

Hybrid in his impact as a hooker

• 85 lineouts won

• 12 turnovers

6. Andre-Hugo Venter (Hooker, Stormers)

Set-piece anchor

• 105 lineouts won (1st)

Dominates in contact and carries strongly

7. RG Snyman (Lock, Leinster)

Continuity machine

• 20 offloads (joint 1st)

Unrivalled in the league with his offloading influence

8. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (No 10, Stormers)

The emerging game driver

• 62 points

• 2089 kick metres

• 70 kicks in play

• 10 clean breaks

Strong line kicking game, lethal in line break efficiency.

Photo: Gallo Images

9. Evan Roos (No 8, Stormers)

The Finisher

• 6 tries

• 97 carries

Plays with high risk and high reward.

Photo: Gallo Images

10. Vincent Tshituka (Flank, Sharks)

The Lineout Disruptor

• 8 steals (1st)

The statistics tell the story of his value

Photo: Gallo Images

Players just outside the SA Top 10 

• Werner Kok (wing, Ulster): breaks + offloads + tries

• Johann Grobbelaar (hooker, Bulls): lineouts + tries

• Paul de Villiers (flank, Stormers): tackles + turnovers

• Ruan Venter (Flank, Lions): carries + tries

SET PIECE: SOUTH AFRICA’S STRANGLEHOLD

Lineout leaders

Lineout steals (SA presence)

South Africa dominates the Influence Index.

• 10/10 players in top 10

• Leading in:

  • lineouts

  • turnovers

  • offloads

  • points

  • territorial kicking

• THE BREAKDOWN: TURNOVERS WON (SA IMPACT)

  Player	Turnovers Won
  Jeandre Rudolph	16
  Marnus van der Merwe	12
  Paul de Villiers	9