Cheslin Kolbe’s incredible achievements throughout the 2024 season set him apart from an impressive field of SA Rugby nominees, which included previous winners Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit, as well as Damian De Allende and Ox Nche, to claim the top prize.
His contributions played a pivotal role in the Springboks’ triumphant season, which saw the team secure 11 victories in 13 Tests and recapture the Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup titles. Kolbe’s electrifying pace and skill on the field were key to these successes, underscoring his reputation as one of the most dynamic players in world rugby.
As a result, the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus were named Team and Coach of the Year respectively on an evening where excellence across all spheres of South African rugby was celebrated.
Meanwhile, the versatile Nadine Roos was honoured as SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year for the second time in three years after also taking the award in 2022, for her outstanding contributions to both the fifteens and sevens formats of the Springbok Women’s game.
Emerging star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu received the Young Player of the Year award, recognising his breakthrough season.
Jurenzo Julius was named Junior Springbok Player of the Year for his impressive form for the SA U20s before making a rapid rise in senior rugby. Selvyn Davids, who was included in World Rugby’s Dream Team, was named the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year, playing a key role as they won bronze at the Olympic Games in Paris.
All 2024 SA Rugby Awards winners as Cheslin Kolbe bagged the main men’s prize:
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 Kavaliers)
Finalists: Jayden Bantom (Eastern Province), Thurlow Marsh (Sanlam Boland Kavaliers)
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)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FINAL WINNERS LIST?
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