As the Lions, Sharks, Stormers and Vodacom Bulls are to complete the opening four-match tour of the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship, one player has emerged as a fan favourite.

The South African teams took a couple of rounds to adjust to the new competition, but all bounced back in the third round to deliver solid performances.

The Sharks and Bulls tasted their first wins, against Ospreys and Cardiff, respectively, while the Stormers were able to hold Edinburgh to a draw.

The matches on Friday and Saturday will present domestic players with a final opportunity to impress the Springbok coaches before their squad is named for South Africa’s end-of-year tour.

Even though the expanded competition is only three rounds old, there have been a number of excellent performers who have put their hand up for selection.

Following a poll run by SARugbymag.co.za, Lions speedster Rabz Maxwane emerged as a clear fan favourite, earning 38% of the vote.

Maxwane scored two tries in the first round of the URC to help the Lions claim an opening win over Zebre in Parma.

The 26-year-old saw off stern competition from the likes of Evan Roos and Boeta Chamberlain, who both also ranked high with the fans.

Stormers No 8 Roos was given 17% of the vote, while Sharks flyhalf Chamberlain, who slotted three drop goals in the round-three win over Ospreys, was narrowly ahead on 18%.

Photo: Matteo Ciambelli/INPHO/Shutterstock