Springboks team/ Picture: X(formerly Twitter)
There is much to celebrate in South Africa’s rugby world as we debrief the results of last night’s SA Rugby Awards where the likes of Rassie Erasmus, Cheslin Kolbe, Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu and the Springboks team emerged as winners in their respective categories.
The Cape Town International Convention Center was no ordinary place last night, rather, it was the venue honoured with hosting the coveted SA Rugby Awards, where celebrating extraordinary individuals and excellence was the order of the day. This was a night dedicated to rewarding and acknowledging the brilliance displayed on the field throughout the 2024 season.
Many individuals were recognised for their efforts, however, a few stood out:
Cheslin Kolbe
After missing out on clinching World Rugby’s 15’s Player of the Year, Cheslin Kolbe has finally received his flowers for pulling off one of the most impressive and effective performances in our nation’s history. Cheslin’s campaign in 2024 was characterised by immense growth and development, as he proved that he is not just a speedy try-scoring winger but put his other skills to good use as a notable “scrum-half” and “hooker”.
His unique ability to navigate the pitch and think quickly on his feet is an unparalleled skill that none have mirrored, and it has led Cheslin to conversations about possibly being one of the best players to wear a Springbok jersey and possibly one of the best players to ever play the game. After going against his fellow teammates in Eben Etzebeth, Damian De Allende, Ox Nche and Pieter Steph Du Toit, Cheslin was named SA Rugby’s Men’s Player of the Year, a much deserved award for one of the most humble players who becomes the first backline player to be honoured with this prestigious award.
Cheslin Kolbe joins a long list of exceptional talents who have won the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year award 🇿🇦🏆#SARugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/LeS0sBcvje
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 13, 2025
Nadine Roos
For the second time in three years, utility back Nadine Roos was recognised as the Women’s Player of The Year for her contributions to both the 7’s and 15’s teams. Nadine has played a pivotal role in getting women’s rugby to where it is today in South Africa as we have seen our women not only show immense improvement on the field, but we have also seen an a significant rise in match attendance, which can most likely be attributed to the performance. Nadine’s versatility and positional flexibility at wing, full back and sometimes fly-half has made a a hot commodity and asset to her team and coaches.
We look forward to see what she and her new coach Swys de Bruin have up their sleeves, and how they will fair in their efforts to secure the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Nadine Roos wins the SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award 🇿🇦🏆#SARugbyAwards | #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/IKnAC6PlZB
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 13, 2025
The Springboks
Among the many awards that were handed out at this year’s showing, the Springboks were named as the Team of the Year, which comes as no surprise after their performances were enough to unite the country for 80 minutes at a time.
The Springboks are awarded Team of the Year at the #SARugbyAwards 🏆🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/8Us0qs6XUJ
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 13, 2025
Honourable mention: Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu capped off an amazing debut with the recognition as Young Player of the Year, while the mastermind behind the Springboks’ domination Rassie Erasmus got the nod as Coach of the Year.
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