Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has become the second player to win back-to-back South African Rugby’s Player of the awards, at the SA Rugby Awards held in Johannesburg.
The 32-year-old Etzebeth has been consistent in the Boks jersey as the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time in a row in France last October.
The other finalists were Pieter-Steph du Toit, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse.
The 21-year-old wing Canan Moodie was named Young Player of the Year for the second successive year.
The Bulls youngster, who featured in three matches during the World Cup but did not appear in the final, was competing against Jaden Hendrikse, Evan Roos, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ruan Venter.
The highest international points’ scorer in the history of South African rugby, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, dominated in the women’s categories by being named Springbok Women and Provincial Player of the Year for 2023.
She featured for the Springbok Women in both 15s and sevens last year and spearheaded the Bulls Daisies’ challenge to win the Women’s Premier Division.
The other nominees were Nadine Roos, Aseza Hele, Babalwa Latsha and Rights Mkhari.
Coach Jacques Nienaber and the Springboks won the awards for Coach and Team of the Year, while Ricardo Duartee was named Springbok Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, and Corne Beets the Junior Springbok Player of the Year.
Cheslin Kolbe won the SuperSport Fans’ Moment of the Year award for his charge-down of a Thomas Ramos conversion in the World Cup quarter-final, in a new category voted for by supporters on social media,
Meanwhile, SA Rugby President Mark Alexander congratulated all the winners for their contribution to what he described as a memorable 2023 season.
“Eben was at the front of the Springboks’ charge to their second Rugby World Cup title, backed up by the rest of the squad, coaches and management, all of whom deserve recognition for a remarkable season for South African rugby.
The 2023-season will be ingrained in our memories for decades to come, with the Springboks setting the tone and doing so much for nation building and social cohesion in South Africa, but all our national teams did well, and we are proud of all the winners,” said Alexander.
