The celebrations continue for the South African National Rugby team the Springboks as they nearly made a clean sweep at this year’s annual South African Sports Awards ceremony.
The event took place at the luxurious Sun City resort, where many of the country’s top athletes were wined and dined and above all, recognised for their respective contributions to flying our country’s flag high at the highest levels imaginable.
With Springboks coming off the back of yet another successful tournament in the form of 2023 Rugby World Cup, there was no doubt that Rassie Erasmus’ men were going to steal the spotlight on the night. Just like the recent honourary graduate, these nation builders did exactly that.
The night saw Stormers and Springbok fly-half Manie Libbok walk away with the Newcomer of the Year award, Jacques Nienaber won Coach of the Year, and President of SA rugby Mark Alexander walked away with the Administrator of the Year Award.
Springbok flyhalf and SA Sport Awards Newcomer of the Year Mannie Libbok insists, as the country celebrates 30 years of democracy, it is an honour for him as a player of colour to be part of a transformed Boks team.
🎥 SABC Sport’s @nozibusisosibiy #SABCSportRugby pic.twitter.com/jUqPMwiIRt
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 6, 2024
Despite being absent on the evening, captain courageous Siya Kolisi and Eben “Elizabedi” Etzebeth also claimed honours, Eben won the Sportsman of the Year Award, while Siya was awarded Sport Star of the Year as well as People’s Choice of the Year.
The Springboks cleaned up at the #SASportsAwards last night 🏆🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/Jd4gNLujMm
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 6, 2024
By the end of the evening, it came down to the ultimate honour of who the ultimate sports team was – and that was none other than the two-time World Cup winners – the mighty Springboks.
Here is a list of the winners:
Administrator of the Year: Mark Alexander (SA Rugby Union)
Sportsman of the Year: Eben Etzebeth (Springboks)
Sportsman of the Year With a Disability: Mpumelelo Mhlongo (South African Sport Association for the Physically Disabled)
Sportswoman of the Year: Kirsten Neuschäfer (Sailing South Africa)
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Simone Kruger (South African Sport Association for the Physically Disabled, Para Athletics)
Team of the Year: Springboks
Newcomer of the Year: Manie Libbok (Springboks)
Coach of the Year: Jacques Nienaber (Spingboks)
Volunteer of the Year: Rebecca Ntsanwisi (Vakhegula Vakhegula)
Indigenous Games Team of the Year: Diketo Gauteng
National federation of the Year: South African Rugby Union
Recreation Body of the Year: Amandla Social Enterpises (WC)
Sport Photo of Visual Journalist of the Year: Samuel Shivambu
Sport Journalist of the Year: Khanyiso Tshwaku
Sport Star of the Year: Siya Kolisi (Springbok captain)
People’s Choice of the Year: Siya Kolisi (Springbok captain)
School team of the Year: Hoer Lanbouskool Oakdale — Tug of War 560kg junior men’s team
Developing School Team of the Year: Hlabi Secondary School — Netball U-19 team
Technical Official of the Year: Sean Rapaport (South African Hockey Association)
Also see: Springboks’ coach Rassie Erasmus to be addressed as Dr. after graduating with doctorate
