The Towering Springbok, Eben Etzebeth, who became a Test centurion last year, has been named as SA Rugby‘s Player of the Year for 2022.
Etzebeth has long been a reliable rock in the Springbok pack. The 31-year-old put in consistent star performances in the Green and Gold. That saw him honoured with the Player of the year award for the first time in his career.
The Tygerberg high school alumni beat out captain, Siya Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Frans Malherbe.
Eben has been a Springbok stalwart for more than a decade and it’s just amazing to see how he keeps getting better with age, playing with maturity and providing valuable leadership to the Springboks,” said SA rugby President, Mr Mark Alexander.
“The Boks are building on depth and experience with an eye on the Rugby World Cup later this year, and I think they are in a good space under the coaching of Jacques Nienaber and the captaincy of Siya, but Eben’s role can’t be underestimated as he is not only the most experienced member of the squad, but he also sets the example for younger players and was widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet last year.”
Canan Moodie, the best of the youngsters
Among the youngsters, the winger, Canan Moodie was named the Young Player of the Year. The 20-year-old enjoyed a break-out 2022 under the guidance of Jake White at the Blue Bulls. That ultimately saw him earn a call-up to the Springboks.
Congratulations Canan Moodie on winning SA Rugby Young Player of the Year 👏 🏆 pic.twitter.com/idSyLCX9KC
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 31, 2023
“Looking at the quality of young talent coming through, Canan was deservedly voted as the Young Player of the Year, but the other names of the list of nominees are all expected to still make a major mark on South African rugby, which bodes very well for the future,” said Mr Alexander.
The former Boland Landbou student celebrated a Springbok debut in Sydney with a fantastic try against Australia.
19-YEAR-OLD CANAN MOODIE ON DEBUT 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/pSWOuqRlI7
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 3, 2022
SA Rugby nominated Moodie ahead of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Evan Roos and Henco van Wyk.
Roos sets the pace among the ladies
Nadine Roos was honoured following a fabulous 2022 season. She produced magical moments for the Springbok Women’s XV and Sevens teams at two Rugby World Cup tournaments.
Nadine Roos and her running lines are a thing of beauty ⚡️🇿🇦
Another beautiful try from the Springbok Women fullback in yesterday's win. pic.twitter.com/MF06GMQ1HS
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 20, 2022
Roos was awarded the Springbok Women’s Player of the Year ahead of Lusanda Dumke, Aseza Hele, Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu.
Dobbo proves his class
John Dobson stands tall as the coach of the year, after leading the Stormers to the inaugural URC title last year. The Stormers’ URC success saw them voted as the Team of the Year. Dobbo and the Stormers beat Jacques Nienaber and the Springboks, and Jimmy Stonehouse and the Pumas.
John Dobson relives the Grand Final emotion 😍#URC | #STOvBUL | #AllFor1 | @THESTORMERS pic.twitter.com/Ke6mI6UStm
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 18, 2022
“The winners in the other categories for our national teams, Nadine, JC and Sacha, all deserve these accolades after superb performances during the season. Starring in XVs and sevens takes some doing and Nadine never missed a beat; JC was a constant star for the Blitzboks; and Sacha is another one of the upcoming crop of future stars,” said Mr Alexander.
“I would also like to congratulate John and the DHL Stormers on their magnificent achievement in winning the Vodacom URC, as well as Sebastian, Jaywinn and Lusanda for leading the way in our very tough provincial competitions.
“The new year is already in full swing, but there is still a lot of rugby to be played and all eyes will be on France in September and October when the Boks defend the Webb Ellis Cup. I would like to congratulate every winner on their awards and wish them well for the next year, but I would also like to thank all the players, young and old, their coaches and team management, match officials, administrators, all our loyal sponsors and all other role players for making 2022 a season to remember.”
The winners and finalists for 2022 are:
SA Rugby Player of the Year: Eben Etzebeth
Finalists: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe
SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Canan Moodie (Springboks / Vodacom Bulls)
Finalists: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Junior Springboks / South Africa ‘A’ / DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks / Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (Springboks / DHL Stormers), Henco van Wyk (South Africa ‘A’ / Emirates Lions)
Springbok Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Roos
Finalists: Lusanda Dumke, Aseza Hele, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: JC Pretorius
Finalists: Selvyn Davids, Zain Davids
Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Finalists: Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruan Venter
Team of the Year: DHL Stormers
Finalists: Airlink Pumas, Springboks
Coach of the Year: John Dobson (DHL Stormers)
Finalists: Jacques Nienaber (Springboks), Jimmy Stonehouse (Airlink Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Sebastian de Klerk (Airlink Pumas)
Finalists: Willie Engelbrecht (Airlink Pumas), Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Jaywinn Juries (Down Touch Griffons)
Finalists: Jaiden Baron (Boland Kavaliers), Duan Pretorius (Down Touch Griffons)
Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Lusanda Dumke (Border Ladies)
OUTsurance Referee of the Year: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season (announced last year): Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
Finalists: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Marcell Coetzee (Vodacom Bulls), Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka
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