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Renowned Springboks Nominated for SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award

November 30, 2023

3 mins read

Five renowned South African rugby players, including previous winners Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, and Siya Kolisi, have been nominated for the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award. The awards also recognize female rugby powerhouses and future stars in the Young Player of the Year category. The competition in all categories is intense, showcasing the rich talent and depth of South African rugby. The winners will be announced early next year.

The nominees for the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award are Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse. The Springbok Women’s Player of the Year category includes Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Babalwa Latsha, Rights Mkhari, and Nadine Roos. The Young Player of the Year category features Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Canan Moodie, Evan Roos, and Ruan Venter.

Fresh off their Rugby World Cup triumph, five renowned South African rugby players find themselves under the spotlight once again. Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse have received nominations for the distinguished SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award for 2023.

Stellar Nominees

Eben Etzebeth, a towering figure in the rugby world, hopes to hold onto the title he clinched in the previous season. SA Rugby announced these nominations, and the selection process involved votes from media members and crucial stakeholders within the governing body.

There were nine categories in total, and the anticipation is on the rise as the award ceremony is set to take place early next year. However, Etzebeth faces stiff competition from Kolisi and Du Toit, who bagged the Player of the Year Awards in 2021 and 2019 respectively. The nominee list also includes Malherbe, a key player in the Boks scrum, and Willemse, a former nominee for the Young Player of the Year (U23) and the winner of the Youth Weeks Player of the Year Award in 2016.

Female Rugby Powerhouses

The recognition of rugby excellence extends beyond the men’s division. Nadine Roos, a leading figure in Springbok Women’s rugby, will also strive to maintain her title as Springbok Women’s Player of the Year. Her competition includes previous winners Aseza Hele and Babalwa Latsha, as well as Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Rights Mkhari.

Future Stars Shine in Young Player of the Year Category

The Young Player of the Year Award category, designed to recognize promising talent, also boasts intense competition. Four out of the five nominees, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Evan Roos, and Canan Moodie, were nominees last year when Moodie triumphed. This year, Ruan Venter joins the fray.

A Glimpse into the Nominee List

The nominees for the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award are Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse. In the Springbok Women’s Player of the Year category, Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Babalwa Latsha, Rights Mkhari, and Nadine Roos are competing for the title.

The Young Player of the Year category features Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Canan Moodie, Evan Roos, and Ruan Venter. The Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year is up for grabs between Ricardo Duarttee, Christie Grobbelaar, and Shilton van Wyk. Junior Springbok Player of the Year could land with either Corne Beets, Paul de Villiers, or Damian Markus.

Thrilling Competitions for Team, Coach, and Currie Cup Players of the Year

In the Team of the Year category, the formidable Springboks are competing against Toyota Cheetahs and DHL Stormers. The Coach of the Year award sees John Dobson, Hawies Fourie, and Jacques Nienaber vying for the top spot.

The Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year nominees include Tinus de Beer, Ruan Pienaar, and Devon Williams. On the other hand, the Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year category features Keagan Fortune, Darian Hock, and Cameron Hufke.

A Testament to South African Rugby Talent

These exciting categories and nominations are a testament to the rich talent and depth within South African rugby. The countdown to the winner’s announcement has commenced, marking another thrilling chapter in the history of SA Rugby. The nation’s deep passion, vibrant energy, and unwavering love for the game foreshadow a future as illustrious as the past.

1. Who are the nominees for the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award?

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

2. Who are the nominees for the Springbok Women’s Player of the Year category?

The Springbok Women’s Player of the Year category includes Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Babalwa Latsha, Rights Mkhari, and Nadine Roos.

3. Who are the nominees for the Young Player of the Year category?

The Young Player of the Year category features Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Canan Moodie, Evan Roos, and Ruan Venter.

4. Who is competing for the Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year?

The Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year nominees include Tinus de Beer, Ruan Pienaar, and Devon Williams.

5. Who is competing for the Coach of the Year award?

The Coach of the Year award sees John Dobson, Hawies Fourie, and Jacques Nienaber vying for the top spot.

6. What is the selection process for these awards?

The selection process involves votes from media members and crucial stakeholders within the governing body of rugby in South Africa. The winners will be announced early next year.

Sizwe Dlamini
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