URC Elite XV

Seven different teams are represented in the BKT URC Elite XV of the season.

The side was voted on by a media selection panel, spanning all five territories within the competition.

To be eligible, players must have made nine appearances during the regular campaign, with the panel provided with a shortlist of 10 per position by URC StatMaster.

The player with the most votes in each position then earned a place in the team.

South African sides the DHL Stormers and the Vodacom Bulls provide the biggest contingent with three apiece.

The league’s top try scorer Evan Roos (12) and top points scorer Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (158) are both recognised for their efforts, along with their DHL Stormers team-mate Ntuthuko Mchunu.

As for the Vodacom Bulls of Pretoria, scrum-half Embrose Papier and hooker Johann Grobbelaar - who touched down nine and eight times respectively - are joined by second row Cobus Wiese.

Meanwhile, Ulster Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Glasgow Warriors and the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions all have two players on board.

Ireland star Stuart McCloskey has been chosen at inside centre after an outstanding season for both club and country, while his Ulster team-mate Werner Kok is rewarded for his ten tries with a wing spot.

Connacht provide hard-grafting forwards Cian Prendergast and Darragh Murray, while there are two Glasgow backs selected in Kyle Rowe and Stafford McDowall, with elusive winger Rowe having beaten 52 defenders, made 21 clean breaks and run for 783 metres in his 13 league outings.

As for the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions, their achievement in reaching the play-offs for the first time and also winning the South African Shield is recognised by the inclusion of flanker Ruan Venter and full-back Quan Horn, with Horn having played every single minute of the regular season to pick up the Ironman award for the second time.

The team is completed by Leinster Rugby’s Thomas Clarkson packing down at tighthead prop.