Springbok veteran Eben Etzebeth was named SA Rugby’s Player of the Year for the second year in a row, a rare achievement in South African rugby history. Along with Etzebeth, Canan Moodie and Libbie Janse van Rensburg also secured repeated triumphs in the Young Player of the Year and Springbok Women and Provincial Player of the Year categories, respectively. The evening was filled with praise for the Springboks, Jacques Nienaber, and other notable players, as well as fans who honored Cheslin Kolbe for his memorable play in the RWC quarter-final.
Springbok veteran Eben Etzebeth was named SA Rugby’s Player of the Year for the second year in a row, an accomplishment only achieved by one other player. Etzebeth’s consistent performance and invaluable contributions to the sport have made him a cornerstone of South African rugby, with his outstanding performance playing a critical role in their victorious hoisting of the Webb Ellis Cup.
In the radiating grandeur of an extravagant ceremony in Johannesburg, Springbok veteran Eben Etzebeth stamped his indelible mark on South African rugby’s chronicles. His towering stature and relentless spirit have earned him a coveted place in the sporting world. For the second consecutive year, Etzebeth relished the honor of being named the SA Rugby’s Player of the Year, a feat only accomplished by one other player.
Etzebeth, a Springbok centurion, first sported the emblematic green and gold at the age of 32 in 2012. A decade later, his consistent performance and invaluable contributions to the sport have made him a cornerstone of South African rugby. His significant contributions to the Springboks in the previous year played a critical role in their victorious hoisting of the Webb Ellis Cup, marking their second consecutive triumph. His outstanding performances caught global attention, earning him a nomination for World Player of the Year, a testament to his abundant talent.
Yet, Etzebeth wasn’t the only one to relish a repeated triumph. Springbok winger Canan Moodie also reveled in the limelight, securing the Young Player of the Year Award for the second year in a row. His electrifying performances for the Springboks and the Vodacom Bulls have entrenched his reputation as one of rugby’s rising stars. His tactical maneuvers and blazing speed left audiences captivated, with fellow Boks Jaden Hendrikse, Evan Roos, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Ruan Venter trailing behind him.
In the women’s division, Libbie Janse van Rensburg shone as the dominant performer. She received the Springbok Women and Provincial Player of the Year award for 2023. Her achievements are truly inspiring; as the highest international point-scorer in South African rugby history, she has represented her country in both the 15s and sevens. Her dynamic performances propelled the Bulls Daisies on their daring journey to win the Women’s Premier Division.
The evening was filled with applause and cheer, each noise a tribute to the extraordinary talents of these players. However, the praise didn’t end there. Led by the strategic prowess of Jacques Nienaber, the Springboks received recognition as the Team of the Year. Nienaber’s insightful leadership, demonstrated in their back-to-back RWC title victory in France, won him the Coach of the Year award.
Moreover, the gala recognized Springbok Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, Ricardo Duarttee, and Junior Springbok Player of the Year, Corne Beets. The SA Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA) was given the Associate Member of the Year award, acknowledging their excellent governance and their expanding influence in South Africa.
The SuperSport Fans’ Moment of the Year honor was awarded to Cheslin Kolbe for his electrifying charge-down of a Thomas Ramos conversion in the RWC quarter-final. This award, decided by fans via social media, underscores the strong connection between the spectators and the players, adding an additional layer of significance to an evening already overflowing with notable accomplishments.
The SA Rugby Awards 2023 was more than just a tribute to individual talent and team performance. It served as a testament to the resilient spirit, dedication, and determination that is the hallmark of South African rugby. As we reminisce about this victorious evening, the vibrant energy and jubilant cheers continue to resonate, every try and tackle still fresh in memory. Even as the accolades have been awarded, the pursuit of excellence in the sporting arena remains, fueled by the unwavering spirit of South African rugby.
Eben Etzebeth was named SA Rugby’s Player of the Year for the second year in a row, making him one of only two players to accomplish this feat in South African rugby history.
Canan Moodie and Libbie Janse van Rensburg also secured repeated triumphs in the Young Player of the Year and Springbok Women and Provincial Player of the Year categories, respectively.
The Springboks won the Team of the Year award in the SA Rugby Awards 2023, recognizing their back-to-back RWC title victory in France.
Jacques Nienaber won the Coach of the Year award in the SA Rugby Awards 2023, recognizing his insightful leadership in the Springboks’ victory.
Cheslin Kolbe was awarded the SuperSport Fans’ Moment of the Year honor in the SA Rugby Awards 2023 for his electrifying charge-down of a Thomas Ramos conversion in the RWC quarter-final.
The SA Rugby Awards 2023 served as a testament to the resilient spirit, dedication, and determination that is the hallmark of South African rugby, as well as a tribute to individual talent and team performance. It highlighted the pursuit of excellence in the sporting arena, fueled by the unwavering spirit of South African rugby.
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