South African rugby enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the annual SA Rugby Awards, with the nominees unveiled today across nine categories, including the esteemed SA Rugby Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year awards for 2023. As the rugby community holds its breath, there’s no clear favorite in a competition that features World Cup winners but promises to be a closely contested affair.
The prestigious awards, determined by votes from media members and key stakeholders within the governing body, are scheduled to be announced early next year.
In the spotlight for the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award are five luminaries from the Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok squad in France: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse. Etzebeth, the defending champion, faces formidable competition from past winners Kolisi and Du Toit, along with Malherbe and the talented Willemse.
Nadine Roos is set to defend her title as Springbok Women’s Player of the Year against strong contenders, including former winners Aseza Hele and Babalwa Latsha, along with Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Rights Mkhari.
The Young Player of the Year category sees familiar faces, with four of the five nominees also on the shortlist from the previous year. Ruan Venter joins the race alongside returning nominees Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Canan Moodie, and Evan Roos.
In the Coach and Team of the Year categories, Jacques Nienaber and the Springboks will compete against John Dobson and the DHL Stormers, as well as Hawies Fourie and the Toyota Cheetahs.
Ricardo Duarttee, fresh from earning the Rookie of the Year Award at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Awards, contends for the Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year, challenging Christie Grobbelaar and Shilton van Wyk.
The Junior Springbok Player of the Year nominees include team captain Paul de Villiers, who led the SA U20s to a bronze medal at the World Rugby U20 Championship, along with Corne Beets and Damian Markus.
The Currie Cup categories feature prominent players such as Ruan Pienaar, Devon Williams, Tinus de Beer, Cameron Hufke, Darian Hock, and Keagan Fortune, adding an extra layer of excitement to the awards ceremony.
Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, extended congratulations to all nominees, emphasizing their contributions to the local rugby landscape. He expressed gratitude for the dedication and resilience displayed by national teams throughout the year, thanking them for their commitment to putting the country first on the rugby field.
As anticipation builds, rugby enthusiasts are keenly awaiting the announcement of the winners who will etch their names in the annals of South African rugby history. The awards ceremony promises to be a celebration of the exceptional talents and achievements that have illuminated the rugby landscape throughout 2023.