It was a night to remember again for the Springboks team, as they dominated the SA Sports Awards held at Sun City outside Rustenburg.
That achievement was recognised with the Boks being named as SA’s Team of the Year once again and Jacques Nienaber chosen as Coach of the Year.
Talismanic lock Eben Etzebeth was honoured as Sportsman of the Year but was pipped in the Sports Star of the Year category by captain and close friend, Siya Kolisi.
Kolisi was also named as People’s Choice winner, decided by public vote, for the second time.
Flyhalf Manie Libbok was selected as the Newcomer of the Year while union president, Mark Alexander, was honoured as Administrator of the Year after eight years as the head of the organisation during which time the Springboks have twice won the Rugby World Cup.
“Rugby has worked hard over a long period to reach this point and we are now fortunate to be enjoying a golden age, and these awards are a reward for all that hard work, dedication and passion that are daily poured into the sport at every level, from the school fields to the provincial unions and of course at the Springbok level.
“These trophies are collected by individuals on the night, but I hope that everyone involved in rugby knows that these are their awards as well,” said SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, who was in attendance to collect the Federation of the Year Award on behalf of rugby.
The awards covered the period from 1 September 2022 to 31 December 2023, during which time the Springboks won a second successive Rugby World Cup.
Meanwhile, in other sporting codes, Sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer was honoured as the Sportswomen of the Year, for her remarkable solo voyages around the world.
“The greatest recognition that anyone can receive is from their own country, so thank you South Africa.
“My proudest moment was sailing over that finish line waving the South African flag,” said Neuschäfer.
Other notable winners included Simone Kruger and Mpumelelo Mhlongo, who were named Sportswoman of the Year With a Disability and Sportsman of the Year With a Disability respectively.
Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was one of the five recipients of the Minister’s Excellence Awards.
Four other recipients included Commentator and Journalist Kass Naidoo, Sivenathi Nontshinga from Boxing, tennis players Donald Ramphadi and Kgothatso Montjane.
