Kolbe Named South African Rugby Player of the Year
Dynamic Springbok speedster Cheslin Kolbe etched his name in history by becoming the first backline player to receive the prestigious SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year award since 2013, during the spectacular SA Rugby Awards held on Thursday night at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town. Meanwhile, Nadine Roos celebrated her second triumph as the Women’s Player of the Year.
Kolbe distinguished himself among an impressive field of nominees for his outstanding performances during the 2024 season, which included previous winners such as Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian De Allende, and Ox Nche.
His pivotal contributions played a crucial role in the Springboks’ successful campaign, achieving 11 victories out of 13 Tests, along with reclaiming the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup titles. Kolbe’s remarkable speed and skill on the field were key to these achievements, further cementing his reputation as one of the most electrifying players in global rugby.
As a result, the Springboks and their coach Rassie Erasmus were honored as Team and Coach of the Year respectively, on a night dedicated to recognizing excellence throughout South African rugby.
The versatile Roos was named SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year for the second time in three years, having previously won in 2022, reflecting her significant impact across both the fifteens and sevens formats of the Springbok Women’s game.
Emerging talent Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu received the Young Player of the Year award for his breakout season. Jurenzo Julius was honored as the Junior Springbok Player of the Year for his exceptional performance with the SA U20s, which led to a rapid rise in senior rugby. Additionally, Selvyn Davids was recognized as the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year after his inclusion in World Rugby’s Dream Team and a significant contribution to their bronze medal achievement at the Olympic Games in Paris.
In domestic rugby, Renzo du Plessis (Fidelity ADT Lions) and Ashlon Davids (Sanlam Boland Cavaliers) were named the Carling Currie Cup Players of the Year for the Premier and First Divisions respectively, joining Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), who was named SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season for 2024.
Jakkie Cilliers, who led in scoring and helped the Bulls Daisies secure their second consecutive Women’s Premier Division title, was recognized as the Provincial Women’s Player of the Year. Meanwhile, AJ Jacobs was celebrated as the OUTsurance Referee of the Year for his outstanding performances on both national and international stages.
The South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA) was awarded Associate Member of the Year for its notable contributions to rugby development, while the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union received the inaugural President’s Award for its exceptional efforts in promoting access to the sport, as well as development, governance, and performance.
Concluding an extraordinary year for SA Rugby, the awards ceremony also highlighted a significant achievement for the Springbok brand, which ranked 50th among the top 100 brands in South Africa, marking it as the only sports brand to reach this milestone thus far.
Mr. Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, praised Kolbe’s accolade as a remarkable achievement for backline players and commended all award recipients for their contributions.
“Cheslin’s recognition reflects his skill, commitment, and influence on the field,” said Mr. Alexander.
“It’s astounding to acknowledge that the last backline player to receive this prestigious title was former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers in 2013. Cheslin’s success this year is a fitting tribute to his phenomenal contributions to the Springboks over the past six years.
“He exemplifies the spirit of excellence that characterizes South African rugby. We are indeed fortunate to have such remarkable talent among our ranks, as showcased by the achievements of players like Nadine, Sacha, Jurenzo, and Selvyn.
“Cheslin may have led the charge, but every individual associated with the Springboks deserves recognition for what has been one of our finest seasons ever. Rassie’s role in this transformation from where we were almost a decade ago is deserving of acknowledgment as well.
Mr. Alexander additionally acknowledged the other honorees for their significant contributions during the 2024 season: “Congratulations to Sanele Nohamba, Renzo, Ashlon, Jakkie, AJ, and the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union – whose Hollywoodbets Sharks captured both the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Carling Currie Cup – and SASRA as well. Each of you has rightly earned this acknowledgment for your impact on South African rugby last year.
“As we look back on a successful year, the Springboks and all participants in South African rugby can approach the future with hope, continuing to build on the robust foundation laid in 2024. Wishing everyone the best for the rest of the year – may we keep expanding on our successes into 2025.”
Winners and finalists of the SA Rugby Awards 2024:
SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year: Cheslin Kolbe
Finalists: Damian De Allende, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche
SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Roos
Finalists: Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Chumisa Qawe, Vainah Ubisi
SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Springboks / DHL Stormers)
Finalists: Cameron Hanekom (Springboks / Vodacom Bulls), Jordan Hendrikse (Springboks / Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Springboks / Emirates Lions), Henco van Wyk (Emirates Lions)
Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year: Selvyn Davids
Finalists: Zain Davids, Ryan Oosthuizen
Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Jurenzo Julius
Finalists: Bathobele Hlekani, JF van Heerden
Team of the Year: Springboks
Finalists: Hollywoodbets Sharks, Springbok Sevens
Coach of the Year: Rassie Erasmus (Springboks)
Finalists: Philip Snyman (Springbok Sevens), Jake White (Vodacom Bulls)
Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Renzo du Plessis (Fidelity ADT Lions)
Finalists: Clinton Swart (Airlink Pumas), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks XV)
Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Ashlon Davids (Sanlam Boland Cavaliers)
Finalists: Jayden Bantom (Eastern Province), Thurlow Marsh (Sanlam Boland Cavaliers)
Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies)
OUTsurance Referee of the Year: AJ Jacobs
President’s Award: KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union
SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season (announced last year): Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions)
SA Rugby Associate Member of the Year: SA Schools Rugby Association (SASRA)
List of SA Rugby Player of the Year winners since 1992:
1992: Tiaan Strauss
1993: Gavin Johnson
1994: Chester Williams
1995: Ruben Kruger
1996: André Joubert
1997: Os du Randt
1998: Gary Teichmann
1999: André Venter
2000: Breyton Paulse
2001: André Vos
2002: Joe van Niekerk
2003: Ashwin Willemse
2004: Schalk Burger
2005: Bryan Habana
2006: Fourie du Preez
2007: Bryan Habana
2008: Jean de Villiers
2009: Fourie du Preez
2010: Gurthrö Steenkamp
2011: Schalk Burger
2012: Bryan Habana
2013: Jean de Villiers
2014: Duane Vermeulen
2015: Lood de Jager
2016: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2017: Malcolm Marx
2018: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2019: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2020: Duane Vermeulen
2021: Siya Kolisi
2022: Eben Etzebeth
2023: Eben Etzebeth
2024: Cheslin Kolbe
Issued by SA Rugby Communications