In a star-studded event, SA Rugby rolled out the red carpet to honour the best of the best from last year.
No surprises here: Eben Etzebeth was in the spotlight once more, winning the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year title for a second time. He faced stiff competition from the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse.
But let’s talk about the new blood. Bulls sensation Canan Moodie stole the show, and rightly so.
At just 19, Moodie made jaws drop with a sensational try in his Springbok debut against Australia in 2022. He kept the momentum going, featuring in three more Tests that year and shining brightly in 2023.
With Frans Steyn sidelined, Moodie took the opportunity, earning his spot in the World Cup squad as the youngest member and making waves as an outside centre.
Here is the list of all the winners:
SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year: Eben Etzebeth
Finalists: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Damian Willemse
Springbok Women’s Player of the Year: Libbie Janse van Rensburg
Finalists: Aseza Hele, Babalwa Latsha, Rights Mkhari, Nadine Roos
SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Canan Moodie (Springboks / Vodacom Bulls)
Finalists: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks / Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (Springboks / DHL Stormers), Ruan Venter (Emirates Lions)
Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year: Ricardo Duarttee
Finalists: Christie Grobbelaar, Shilton van Wyk
Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Corne Beets
Finalists: Paul de Villiers, Damian Markus
Team of the Year: Springboks
Finalists: Toyota Cheetahs, DHL Stormers
Coach of the Year: Jacques Nienaber (Springboks)
Finalists: Hawies Fourie (Toyota Cheetahs), John Dobson (DHL Stormers)
Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Ruan Pienaar (Toyota Cheetahs)
Finalists: Tinus de Beer (Airlink Pumas), Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas)
Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Cameron Hufke (Boland Kavaliers)
Finalists: Keagan Fortune (Valke), Darian Hock (Boland Kavaliers)
SuperSport Fans’ Moment of the Year: Cheslin Kolbe
Finalists: Bongi Mbonambi, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse
Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies)
OUTsurance Referee of the Year: Jaco Peyper
Vodacom United Rugby Championship Fans’ Player of the Season (announced last year): Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers)
SA Rugby Associate Member of the Year: SA Deaf Rugby Association
Main image: SA Rugby
