Cheslin Kolbe: Picture: Instagram
After a successful 2024 rugby season, three of South Africa’s most elite athletes have all secured themselves a nomination ahead of this year’s annual World Rugby Awards ceremony.
The trio of Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit will be entering their final match against Wales with extra motivation, following the recent news that they have all been nominated as finalists in the category of Men’s 15s Player of the Year.
The news came just days after the Springboks recorded yet another victory over their northern rivals England. The Boks are currently in Europe where they are playing in their November Autumn internationals against Scotland, England and Wales.
Meanwhile, the above-mentioned are not the only South Africans in contention to receive rugby gold. This comes as the 22-year-old Stormers and recent debutant Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has also earned himself a nomination in the Breakthrough Player of the Year category.
Earlier this year, Sacha earned the favour of Springboks captain Rassie Erasmus after showing composure in slotting a 50-meter penalty kick in his debut match against Wales at the Twickenham (now Allianz) stadium in London.
Ever since then, he has become a regular member of the matchday team during the rugby championship and has gone to play two tests against New Zealand, both in Johannesburg and his home city, Cape Town – helping the team win silverware in the form of the Qatar Cup, Nelson Mandela Plate, Freedom Cup and the Rugby Championship trophy.
This, so far has been a successful year for the team as they won every one of their matches early, with their two defeats to Ireland and Argentina being the exception.
Come the 24th of November, the men in green and gold would be looking to end the year on a high note at the awards ceremony in Monaco.
Also see: Edwill, Jordan, and Sacha – get to know the Springboks newest debutants | Bona Magazine
