@Springboks
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth became only the second player to win back-to-back SA Rugby’s Player of the Year awards in Johannesburg on Thursday evening.
Bok wing Canan Moodie also walked away with SA Rugby's Young Player of the Year Award for a second time, while Libbie Janse van Rensburg cleaned up in the women’s categories by being named Springbok Women and Provincial Player of the Year for 2023.
The other finalists were Pieter-Steph du Toit, the first player to win back-to-back awards in 2018 and 2019, as well as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, and Damian Willemse.
Janse van Rensburg – the highest international points scorer in the history of South African rugby – featured for the Springbok Women in both 15s and sevens last year and spearheaded the Bulls Daisies’ challenge to win the Women’s Premier Division.
The other nominees were former winners Nadine Roos (2022), Aseza Hele (2019), and Babalwa Latsha (2017), as well as Rights Mkhari, herself an international in 15s and sevens rugby.
Congratulations @EbenEtzebeth on doing the double at the #SARugbyAwards for 2023 ????#StrongerTogether @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/KLrqg1s4oD
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 14, 2024
Following the Springboks’ triumph in France, former coach Jacques Nienaber and the Springboks won the awards for Coach and Team of the Year, while Ricardo Duartee was named Springbok Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, and Corne Beets the Junior Springbok Player of the Year.
In a new category, voted for by supporters on social media, Cheslin Kolbe won the SuperSport Fans’ Moment of the Year award for his charge-down of a Thomas Ramos conversion in the RWC quarter-final, a match the Boks won by 29-28 against the hosts in Paris.
Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – Vodacom URC Fans’ Player of the Season), Ruan Pienaar (Toyota Cheetahs – Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year) and Cameron Hufke (Sanlam Boland Kavaliers – Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year) also walked away with awards on the night for their performances at franchise and provincial level.
SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander, congratulated all the winners.
“Eben was at the front of the Springboks’ charge to their second Rugby World Cup title, backed up by the rest of the squad, coaches, and management, all of whom deserve recognition for a remarkable season for South African rugby,” he said.
“It was especially heart-warming to see the big strides made by women’s rugby in the last couple of years and Libbie’s performances for the Springbok Women, as they finished third in WXV 2 and were crowned champions of Africa yet again.
“The 2023-season will be ingrained in our memories for decades to come, with the Springboks setting the tone and doing so much for nation-building and social cohesion in South Africa, but all of our national teams did well, and we are proud of all the winners,” Alexander said.
