Springbok speedster Cheslin Kolbe became the first back since 2013 to win SA Rugby’s Player of the Year award at a glittering ceremony in Cape Town on Thursday.
Kolbe’s incredible achievements throughout the 2024 season set him apart from an impressive field of 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 wins 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.
And finally, the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year is none other than Cheslin Kolbe 🇿🇦#SARugbyAwards #ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/Pc3ALFvEqO
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 13, 2025
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.
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 15s 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; and 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.
SA Rugby’s Young Player of the Year is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 🙌#SARugbyAwards #ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/yIhmsfQPQv
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 13, 2025
In domestic rugby, Renzo du Plessis (Lions) and Ashlon Davids (Boland Kavaliers) were named the Currie Cup Players of the Year for the Premier and First Divisions, respectively, adding their names to that of Sanele Nohamba (Lions), who won the SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season Award for 2024.
Jakkie Cilliers, who topped the scoring charts and helped the Bulls Daisies to a second successive Women’s Premier Division title, was recognised as Provincial Women’s Player of the Year, while AJ Jacobs was named Referee of the Year for his excellent performances on both local and international stages.
For their significant contributions to rugby development, the South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA) was named Associate Member of the Year, and the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union received the inaugural President’s Award for their exceptional achievements in access to the game, development, governance and performance.
To cap a remarkable year for SA Rugby, the awards ceremony also celebrated a remarkable milestone for the Springbok brand, which was ranked 50th among the top 100 brands in South Africa, making it the only sports brand to achieve this distinction to date.
The Coach of the Year is none other than Rassie Erasmus 🏉#SARugbyAwards #ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/2Sxaw29NbL
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 13, 2025
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SARU president Mark Alexander hailed Kolbe’s achievement as a milestone for backline players while he also praised the contributions of all the other award winners.
“Cheslin’s recognition is a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the field,” said Alexander.
“It’s amazing to think that the last backline player to win the top award was former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers in 2013, and to have Cheslin take the top prize this year, is just reward for the amazing things he’s done for the Springboks in the last six years.
“He truly embodies the spirit of excellence that defines South African rugby. We are blessed with incredible talent in South African rugby, as evidenced by the accomplishments of national players such as Nadine, Sacha, Jurenzo and Selvyn.
“Cheslin may have led the charge, but everyone involved with the Springboks deserves recognition for one of our best seasons ever, and Rassie’s role in this resurgence from where we were under a decade ago has to be applauded.”
The Team of the Year – the #Springboks 💚💛#SARugbyAwards #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/U1ToPdnTuV
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 13, 2025
SA Rugby Awards 2023 winners and finalists (where applicable):
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/Stormers)
Finalists: Cameron Hanekom (Springboks/Vodacom Bulls), Jordan Hendrikse (Springboks/Sharks), Quan Horn (Springboks/Lions), Henco van Wyk (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: Sharks, Springbok Sevens
Coach of the Year: Rassie Erasmus (Springboks)
Finalists: Philip Snyman (Springbok Sevens), Jake White (Bulls)
Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Renzo du Plessis (Lions)
Finalists: Clinton Swart (Pumas), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks XV)
Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Ashlon Davids (Boland Kavaliers)
Finalists: Jayden Bantom (Eastern Province), Thurlow Marsh (Boland Kavaliers)
Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies)
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 (Lions)
SA Rugby Associate Member of the Year: SA Schools Rugby Association (SASRA)
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
