The nominations for the 2023 South African Rugby Awards have been officially announced by SA Rugby, with the Rugby World Cup champions leading the nominations. These awards, which are voted on by members of the media and key stakeholders within the governing body, encompass nine categories, with the winners set to be disclosed early next year. Additionally, the annual OUTsurance Referee of the Year and the Provincial Women’s Player of the Year will also be recognised.
Eben Etzebeth, the recipient of the 2021 Player of the Year Award, is poised to face formidable competition from Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit, both previous winners of the award in 2019. Also in contention are Bok scrum anchor Frans Malherbe and Damian Willemse, a former nominee in the Young Player of the Year category and winner of the 2016 Youth Weeks Player of the Year Award.
The Springbok Women’s Player of the Year title will be fiercely contested, with Nadine Roos defending her title against former winners Aseza Hele and Babalwa Latsha, as well as Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Rights Mkhari.
In the Young Player of the Year category, four out of the five nominees were also shortlisted last year. Ruan Venter, an additional nominee this year, is aiming to leave his mark on the competition.
The Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year Award sees Ricardo Duarttee, who received the Rookie of the Year Award at the annual HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, competing against Christie Grobbelaar and Shilton van Wyk.
The Junior Springbok Player of the Year Award features team captain Paul de Villiers and his teammates Corne Beets and Damian Markus, who led the SA U20s to a bronze medal at the World Rugby U20 Championship.
In the Coach and Team of the Year categories, the nominees are Jacques Nienaber and the Springboks, John Dobson and the DHL Stormers, and Hawies Fourie and the Toyota Cheetahs.
Ruan Pienaar of the Toyota Cheetahs will face off against Devon Williams and Tinus de Beer of the Airlink Pumas for the Currie Cup Premier Division award. In the First Division Award, Cameron Hufke and Darian Hock of the Boland Kavaliers go head-to-head with Keagan Fortune of the Valke.
Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, has expressed his gratitude for the nominees’ performances throughout the year, citing the Rugby World Cup victory and congratulating all the nominees for their contributions to the local rugby landscape. He also extended his thanks to the players, coaches, administrators, referees, sponsors, and other significant stakeholders for their roles in making the 2023 season a notable one.
The announcement was accompanied by a statement from Alexander, in which he commended the nominees and expressed his appreciation for everyone involved in the sport. The categories and nominees were listed in alphabetical order, with the winners set to be announced early next year.
The nominees are: [List of nominees]