Sport | Springboks’ Kolbe, Roos bask in glory at SA Rugby Awards

Wing Cheslin Kolbe for the Springboks in their 2024 Autumn Nations Series (David Rogers/Getty Images)

• Cheslin Kolbe and Nadine Roos claimed top honours at the SA Rugby Awards in Cape Town.
• Kolbe made SA Award history after being instrumental in the Springboks’ successful 2024 season.
• Meanwhile, the Springboks, coach Rassie Rasmus and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu were awarded.
• For more news on the Springboks, visit our dedicated section.

Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe etched his name into the history books, while Nadine Roos picked up the best women’s player at the SA Rugby Awards in Cape Town on Thursday evening.

As South African rugby and 2024 excellence were celebrated, Kolbe and Roos scooped up the top awards with Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu winning the Young Player of the Year trophy.

READ | Time for ‘older’ Boks to transfer knowledge to prolong careers, says Rassie 

Kolbe became the first backline player since Jean de Villiers in 2013 to take the prestigious SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year title.

Kolbe’s electrifying pace and skill on the field were key to these successes as he played a pivotal role in the Springboks’ stellar season, which saw the four-time World Cup champions to 11 victories in 13 Tests.

The 31-year-old’s dynamic performance throughout the 2024 season set him apart from an impressive field of nominees, which included previous winners Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit, as well as Damian De Allende and Ox Nche, to claim the top prize.

With the Springboks also recapturing the Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup titles, the Boks and Rassie Erasmus were named Team and Coach of the Year.

Roos was celebrated as SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year for the second time in three years, having previously won the prestigious award in 2022 for her exceptional contributions to the Springbok Women’s fifteens and sevens formats.

President of SA Rugby Mark Alexander hailed Kolbe’s achievement and delighted in the Springboks’ resurgence in world rugby.

“Cheslin’s recognition is a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the field,” said Alexander.

“It’s amazing to think that the last backline player to win the top award was former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers in 2013, and to have Cheslin take the top prize this year, is just reward for the amazing things he’s done for the Springboks in the last six years.

“He truly embodies the spirit of excellence that defines South African rugby. We are blessed with incredible talent in South African rugby, as evidenced by the accomplishments of national players such as Nadine, Sacha, Jurenzo and Selvyn.

“Cheslin may have led the charge, but everyone involved with the Springboks deserves recognition for one of our best seasons ever, and Rassie’s role in this resurgence from where we were under a decade ago has to be applauded.”

Stormers and Springbok star Feinberg-Mngomezulu was recognised for his breakthrough season as he won the Young Player of the Year award.

Blitzboks speedster Selvyn Davids, who was included in World Rugby’s Dream Team, was named the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year, playing a key role in winning bronze at the Paris Olympics.

Jurenzo Julius was named Junior Springbok Player of the Year for his impressive form for the SA U20s before rapidly rising in senior rugby.

In domestic rugby, Renzo du Plessis (Lions) and Ashlon Davids (Boland Cavaliers) were named the Currie Cup Players of the Year for the Premier and First Divisions, respectively. Their names join those of Sanele Nohamba (Lions), who won the SA URC Player of the Season Award for 2024.

Jakkie Cilliers, who topped the scoring charts and helped the Bulls Daisies to a second successive Women’s Premier Division title, was recognised as Provincial Women’s Player of the Year, while AJ Jacobs was named Referee of the Year for his excellent performances on both the local and international stage.

The South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA) was named Associate Member of the Year for its significant contributions to rugby development, and the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union received the inaugural President’s Award for its exceptional achievements in access to the game, development, governance, and performance.

To cap a remarkable year for SA Rugby, the awards ceremony also celebrated a remarkable milestone for the Springbok brand, which was ranked 50th among the top 100 brands in South Africa, making it the only sports brand to achieve this feat.

Alexander also lauded the other winners for their stellar performances during the 2024 season.

“Congratulations also to Sanele Nohamba, Renzo, Ashlon, Jakkie, AJ, the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union – with the Sharks winning both the Challenge Cup and the Currie Cup – and SASRA too, all of you deserve the recognition for your contribution to the game of rugby in South Africa last year.

“As the curtain falls on a successful year, the Springboks and all role players in South African rugby can look ahead with confidence, building on the solid foundation laid in 2024. Best of luck to everyone for the rest of the year – may we build on our achievements in 2025.”