On Tuesday, Etzebeth was the big winner as SA Rugby unveiled its awards for 2022, with the towering lock having been named the Player of the Year.
The 31-year-old Etzebeth, who made his Test debut in 2012 and reached his 100th Test against Wales in July, earned the award for the first time after narrowly losing out to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi in 2021. However, last season the second rower was a constant star in the green and gold, along with fellow nominees for the top award in Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Frans Malherbe.
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Speaking at the SARU headquarters after receiving the award, Etzebeth said it was an absolute privilege to receive the Player of the Year ‘trophy’, while opening up about the special occasion of his wedding that will be taking place this weekend.
“There are so many other guys who don’t always get recognised but it’s nice to win this trophy for the first time. I got engaged last year and I’m getting married this Saturday… that’s probably my biggest achievement yet, getting the best trophy I can get,” he said, as quoted by Sport24.
As reported by The South African website, Etzebeth proposed to Anlie van Rensburg in March of last year year in Hyères, a French town on the Mediterranean coast. Van Rensburg also sang the national anthem prior to the match in which Etzebeth earned his 100th Test cap last year.
“I can’t believe the wedding is this Saturday. It’s also nice to have some off time. We’re going to relax after that,” Etzebeth added. “The last couple of months have been hectic, moving back from France. Our rugby schedules are very busy and [we] had to find a place in Durban and settling down… and in between trying to plan a wedding.
“So, it’s going to be nice to finally marry the woman of my dreams this coming Saturday and then after that just enjoying some quality time alone with her.”
ETZEBETH WAS THE BIG WINNER FROM THE LIST BELOW:
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’ / Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks / Sharks), Evan Roos (Springboks / Stormers), Henco van Wyk (South Africa ‘A’ / 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: Stormers
Finalists: Airlink Pumas, Springboks
Coach of the Year: John Dobson (Stormers)
Finalists: Jacques Nienaber (Springboks), Jimmy Stonehouse (Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Sebastian de Klerk (Pumas)
Finalists: Willie Engelbrecht (Pumas), Devon Williams (Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Jaywinn Juries (Griffons)
Finalists: Jaiden Baron (Boland Kavaliers), Duan Pretorius (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 (Stormers)
Finalists: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Marcell Coetzee (Bulls), Warrick Gelant (Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Has moved to the Sharks from the Lions)
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