The Springboks lead the SA nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards. The Sports Awards are the most prestigious honours in sport. Media members worldwide including South Africa, and even reporters in Cape Town, take part in the vote.
The Springboks boast a nomination for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award after they beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final, in October last year.
The team’s captain, Siya Kolisi also garnered a nomination for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. He had recovered from a partial ligament tear and led the home side to rugby glory.
Siya Kolisi said: “This is such an overwhelming moment for me – to be nominated with the Springboks for Laureus Team of the Year and also individually for Comeback of the Year.”
Kolisi was also the captain of the Springbok team in 2019, which won the World Cup and the next year, they took home the Laureus Team of the Year Award.
“I’m hoping we can win it again, as always it is a formidable group of teams nominated this year, including Manchester City, Spain’s Women’s World Cup winners and Oracle Red Bull Racing,” he added.
Another South African up for a prize is Gqeberha’s Kirsten Neuschafer. The sailor has made the shortlist for the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award.
The world’s ultimate sports jury at the Laureus World Sports Awards
She last year became the first female to win a solo round-the-world race via the three Great Capes. Her nomination is the fruit of this extraordinary achievement.
But wait, there’s more.
A South African NGO, Justice Desk Africa also made it to the nomination list. They are in the running for the Laureus Sport for Good Award.
Six Nominees were put forward in every category. The winners will be announced on 22 April. The winners will be chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, which is made of 69 of the greatest sporting legends of all time.
Cape Town NGO secures a Laureus Nomination
The Laureus Sport for Good Award recognises a community sports-based programme. The initiative should help improve the lives of young people and bring communities together.
A programme based in Cape Town made the shortlist for this award. Justice Desk Africa aims to empower young people in South Africa to understand and defend their human rights. This project provides girls with essential mental health support, as well as self-defence classes and leadership sessions.
2024 Laureus World Sports Awards – Here are the South African Nominees in their respective categories.
LAUREUS WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
European Ryder Cup Team – Golf – regained the trophy with a dominant display in Rome
Germany Men’s Basketball Team – FIBA World Cup champions after shock wins over USA and Serbia
Manchester City (UK) Football – treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League
Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One Team (Austria) – second consecutive constructors’ title after winning all but one race
Springboks (South Africa) Rugby – winners of a record fourth men’s World Cup
Spain Women’s Football Team – World Cup winners after a game-changing tournament in Australia
Germany Men’s Basketball Team – FIBA World Cup champions after shock wins over USA and Serbia
Manchester City (UK) Football – treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League
Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One Team (Austria) – second consecutive constructors’ title after winning all but one race
Springboks (South Africa) Rugby – winners of a record fourth men’s World Cup
Spain Women’s Football Team – World Cup winners after a game-changing tournament in Australia
LAUREUS WORLD COMEBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Simone Biles (USA) Gymnastics – after a two-year absence, returned to win four World Championship golds
- Sébastien Haller (Ivory Coast) Football – recovered from cancer diagnosis to return for Borussia Dortmund
- Katarina Johnson-Thompson (UK) Athletics – won heptathlon gold at World Championships after multiple injuries
- Siya Kolisi (South Africa) Rugby – came back from ACL tear to lead his country to World Cup glory
- Jamal Murray (Canada) Basketball – after 18 months out, won NBA Championship with Denver
- Markéta Vondroušová (Czech Republic) Tennis – won Wimbledon as an unseeded player after a series of injuries
LAUREUS WORLD ACTION SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Rayssa Leal (Brazil) Skateboarding – street golds at three major championships in 2023
- Caroline Marks (USA) Surfing – first world title for emerging superstar
- Kirsten Neuschafer (South Africa) Sailing – the first woman to win a solo round-the-world race via three great capes
- Bethany Shriever (UK) BMX – regained her world title in Glasgow
- Filipe Toledo (Brazil) Surfing – defended his world title in California
- Arisa Trew (Australia) Skateboarding – The 13-year-old became the first skateboarder to land 720 in competition
LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD AWARD
Programmes nominated by a specialist selection panel; Laureus Academy select the winner:
- Bola Pra Frente (Brazil) Multi-sport x Employability – using sport and education to increase opportunities for youth
- Dancing Grounds (USA) Dancing x Social Integration – advocating for social justice through dance
- Fundación Rafa Nadal (Spain) Tennis x Education – using sport in Mallorca and India to empower young people
- ISF Cambodia Football x Education – breaking the cycle of poverty through the power of football
- Justice Desk Africa (South Africa) Multi-sport x Human Rights – empowering youth to defend their human rights through sport
- Obiettivo Napoli (Italy) Multi-sport x Inclusion – developing social skills in young people experiencing exclusion and hardship
READ MORE: Find the full nomination list here
We wish the South Africans good luck for later this year and hope they bring the trophies home!
MORE ABOUT: 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards
