The 2024 SA Rugby awards celebrated the Springboks’ achievements over the past eight years, while reinforcing their intent to create more history, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane describes the event in Cape Town last week as a fitting tribute to a team that has dominated world rugby, with Cheslin Kolbe deservedly taking the Player of the Year award. Rassie Erasmus was the clear choice for Coach of the Year, and the Boks fittingly named Team of the Year.
Keohane highlights the significance of the night, not just as a reflection on past success – including two World Cups, a British & Irish Lions series win and the 2024 Rugby Championship title – but as a statement of future ambition.
He emphasises that the Boks aren’t satisfied with their legacy, and are determined to push for a historic third consecutive World Cup win in 2027.
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For Keohane, the night symbolised South African rugby at its best, with a team that has endured the darkest days now standing as the brightest beacon of success.
“It was a window to the world of South African rugby at its finest and most mesmerising,” he writes. “It was very applicable that the men’s Player of the Year would be the most mesmerising of them all in winger Cheslin Kolbe.
“Everything was right about the night. Forever Green & Forever Gold lit up the room in signage and it was a reflection on four World Cup gold medals from the green machine.
“The night spoke to the memory of these past eight years, but crucially it also spoke to the now and the intent within the squad to create more history in winning a third successive World Cup, in Australia, in 2027. It was a privilege to observe and experience.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
