The Next-Gen Player of the Season 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 BKT URC season.
Hanekom has been a key player for the Vodacom Bulls this season, helping them finish second in the regular season table.
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).