The SA Rugby Awards celebrate the best rugby players, coaches, and teams in the sport. The nominees, chosen by rugby media representatives and governing bodies, represent the pinnacle of rugby prowess and include fierce competition in each category. From the Men’s Player of the Year to the Young Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year, each athlete embodies the zenith of rugby excellence. The awards provide a platform to reflect on the year’s performances and honor rising stars, showcasing the dedication, skill, and passion of the rugby community.

The SA Rugby Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Rugby

The SA Rugby Awards honor the most remarkable players in the sport, including the Men’s Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year, and Young Player of the Year. The ceremony also recognizes outstanding coaches, referees, and teams across various categories. The nominees represent the pinnacle of rugby prowess, with fierce competition in each category.

The Annual Rugby Recognition

In the robust, intellectually-challenging realm of rugby, an annual event shines a spotlight on the year’s most remarkable players. As part of the thrilling discourse of the game, five key individuals from the French Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok team – Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse – have earned a nomination for the prestigious 2023 SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award.

Etzebeth, an athlete of exceptional proficiency, aims to retain the title he gloriously clinched the previous season. This accolade celebrates his significant contribution to the sport. The nominees, cherry-picked by rugby media representatives and the sport’s governing body’s vital stakeholders, were unveiled across nine categories on a significant Tuesday.

Early next year, the gala will reveal the award winners, who represent the epitome of rugby prowess. Along with the player’s awards, the OUTsurance Referee of the Year and the Provincial Women’s Player of the Year will also grace the stage. The contest for glory this year is particularly intense, with Etzebeth poised to face potent competition from Kolisi and Du Toit, both of whom are previous winners of the Player of the Year Awards in 2021 and 2019, respectively.

The Fierce Competition

Joining the race for the title alongside the formidable duo of Kolisi and Du Toit are scrum linchpin Malherbe and former Young Player of the Year (U23) nominee, Willemse. The contest promises to be thrilling. Willemse, in particular, is no stranger to recognition, as he bagged the Youth Weeks Player of the Year Award in 2016.

The women’s category also buzzes with excitement as Nadine Roos is poised to defend her Springbok Women’s Player of the Year title. She faces stiff competition from past champions Aseza Hele and Babalwa Latsha and contenders Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Rights Mkhari. All these athletes exemplify the formidable talent in women’s rugby and highlight the growing recognition and appreciation for women’s contribution to the sport.

The Young Player of the Year Award, instrumental in recognizing and nurturing emerging talent, sees four of its five nominees returning from the previous year. Last year’s winner, Canan Moodie, outperformed competitors including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, and Evan Roos. Newcomer Ruan Venter also joins the nominee list this year.

The Wide Array of Talent

The roster of nominees is a testament to the calibre and competitive spirit within the world of rugby. From the Men’s Player of the Year nominees, Du Toit, Etzebeth, Kolisi, Malherbe, and Willemse, to the Women’s Player of the Year contenders, Hele, Janse van Rensburg, Latsha, Mkhari, and Roos, each athlete embodies the zenith of rugby prowess.

The Young Player of the Year nominees, including Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hendrikse, Moodie, Roos, and Venter, indicate the sport’s bright future. The Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year prospects include Ricardo Duarttee, Christie Grobbelaar, and Shilton van Wyk. The Junior Springbok Player of the Year category also boasts nominees like Corne Beets, Paul de Villiers, and Damian Markus.

In the Team of the Year category, the Toyota Cheetahs (Currie Cup), Springboks, and DHL Stormers (Vodacom URC) gear up to compete, each demonstrating their exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship. The Coach of the Year category features John Dobson (DHL Stormers), Hawies Fourie (Toyota Cheetahs), and Jacques Nienaber (Springboks), underlining their strategic genius and inspirational leadership.

The Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year nominees feature Tinus de Beer (Airlink Pumas), Ruan Pienaar (Toyota Cheetahs), and Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas). The Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year nominees include Keagan Fortune (Valke), Darian Hock (Boland Kavaliers), and Cameron Hufke (Boland Kavaliers). These nominations underscore the extensive talent that spans the rugby landscape.

The SA Rugby Awards provides a platform to reflect on the year’s performances, honoring not only the high-achieving players but also the rising stars. As we anticipate the upcoming results, the dedication, skill, and passion showcased by each nominee and the broader rugby community deserve much admiration.

1. What are the SA Rugby Awards?

The SA Rugby Awards is an annual event that celebrates the best rugby players, coaches, and teams in the sport.

2. Who chooses the nominees for the SA Rugby Awards?

The nominees for the SA Rugby Awards are chosen by rugby media representatives and governing bodies.

3. What categories are included in the SA Rugby Awards?

The SA Rugby Awards include categories for Men’s Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Referee of the Year, Team of the Year, and more.

4. Who are some of the notable nominees for the 2023 SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award?

Notable nominees for the 2023 SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award include Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse.

5. Who are some of the past winners of the SA Rugby Awards?

Past winners of the SA Rugby Awards include Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphiwe Dyantyi (who was stripped of his award due to a doping violation), and Handre Pollard.

6. What is the significance of the SA Rugby Awards?

The SA Rugby Awards provide a platform to reflect on the year’s performances and honor rising stars, showcasing the dedication, skill, and passion of the rugby community. They also highlight the growing recognition and appreciation for women’s contribution to the sport.