Goosen picks up the 2022-23 URC Gilbert Golden Boot Award

Vodacom Bulls playmaker, Johan Goosen has been named the winner of the 2022-23 Vodacom United Rugby Championship's Gilbert Golden Boot award. Goosen finished top of the tree with a 90 per cent success rate, having kicked 36 out of 40 in this season's campaign for the Vodacom Bulls.

The Gilbert Golden Boot prize recognises the season’s most accurate place-kicker, examining all kickers who have attempted a minimum of 30 ranked by their success percentage.

Capped 13 times by the Springboks, Goosen saw his 2021-22 season cut short by a knee injury and missed half of the current campaign due to shoulder surgery.

Our Golden Goose gets his Golden Boot ?? Congratulations to Johan Goosen on winning the @Vodacom #URC Golden Boot award for the 2022/2023 season ?? @URCOfficial_RSA pic.twitter.com/TMqdRHB4Mv

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 17, 2023

Goosen's captain, Ruan Nortje celebrated the golden Goose for his tenacity and ability to bounce back after his many resets.

"For a guy like Goose(n) to win this award having struggled with a few injuries and enduring a pretty tough time is pretty special for all of us. I just want to congratulate him on this recognition, which is not a surprise to us because we have seen the amount of work that he has put on, even during those times when he has had to reset.

"We are really blessed to have great placekickers in our club, they give us that extra confidence because we know we can trust them to give us the added points on the board.

"I hope that the Vodacom Bulls family will be inspired to push on no matter what because great things are possible as long we remain determined and work hard on our dreams."

The 30-year-old converted 10 of the Vodacom Bulls' 11 tries in the 78-12 historic round 17 victory over Zebre Parma on 15 April, equalling the record number set by Duncan Weir for Glasgow Warriors back in 2016.

Vodacom Bulls teammate Chris Smith was just behind on 89.09 per cent while Ospreys’ Gareth Anscombe, last season’s winner, had a 100% success rate from his 10 kicks but wasn’t eligible this time.

The BKT Coach of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season will be announced next week in the lead-up to the Vodacom URC Grand Final.

URC Awards 2022-23 Winners

OFX Top Try Scorer: Tom Stewart (Ulster)

Tackle Machine: John Hodnett (Munster)

Turnover King: Thomas Young (Cardiff Rugby)

Next-Gen Player of the Season: Tom Stewart (Ulster)

Try of the Season powered by URC.tv: Joaquin Riera (Benetton)

Ironman: Quan Horn (Emirates Lions)

Gilbert Golden Boot: Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls)