SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer has congratulated the Springboks, SA Rugby President  Mark Alexander, and other individuals who were recognised for their excellent achievements in 2023 by being nominated for the prestigious SA Sports Awards.

The nominations were announced on Wednesday evening, with rugby featuring among a star-studded list of candidates in nine of the 22 categories.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the Sun City Superbowl on Sunday, 5 May.

SA Rugby was nominated in the Sports Federation of the Year category alongside Cricket South Africa and Cycling South Africa, with Mr Alexander being nominated in the Administrator of the Year category, and the Springboks as Team of the Year.

Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, who is currently coaching in Ireland, was named in the Coach of the Year category, while 2023 SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Eben Etzebeth – who became only the second player to win the award back-to-back earlier this year – featured in the Sportsman of the Year and People’s Choice Award categories.

Double RWC-winning captain Siya Kolisi was also recognised for his invaluable contribution to the Springbok team by being named as a nominee for Sports Star of the Year, as well as the People’s Choice Award category.

Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok was listed as one of the nominees for Newcomer of the Year, while SA’s leading women’s referee Aimee Barrett-Theron was also recognised for her achievements being named in the Technical Officer of the Year section.

Oberholzer congratulated the all the nominees and thanked the tireless efforts of the SA Rugby staff members for their contribution in having the organisation nominated as Federation of the Year.

“Having rugby nominated in nine different categories in the county’s most prestige sports awards, is a massive achievement, and we are proud of each individual for being recognised for their efforts on and off the field,” said Oberholzer.

“This is a testament to the hard work the players, coaches, administrators, match officials and staff put in day after day, and these nominations extend to everyone involved. We wish all of them luck as we look forward to what will be another fantastic awards ceremony.”

SA Sports Awards nominees:

• SA Rugby – Federation of the Year
• Mark Alexander – Sports Administrator of the Year
• Springboks – Team of the Year
• Jacques Nienaber – Coach of the Year
• Eben Etzebeth – Sportsman of the Year and People’s Choice Award
• Siya Kolisi – Sports Star of the Year and People’s Choice Award
• Manie Libbok – Newcomer of the Year
• Aimee Barrett-Theron – Technical Officer of the Year