SUN CITY – Siya Kolisi, who led South Africa to victory at the Rugby World Cup in Paris in 2023 and Japan in 2019, was honoured with the most coveted awards at the 17th Edition South African Sport Awards held at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West Province.
The Springbok captain won the Sport Star of the Year and the People’s Choice Athlete of the Year Awards. Besides Kolisi winning the two top awards, SA Rugby was crowned Sports Federation of the Year. Saru president Mark Alexander won administrator of the year.
The Springboks won Team of the Year with Jacques Nienaber named as coach of the year. Bok lock Eben Etzebeth was crowned Sportman of the Year with flyhalf Manie Libbok winning the Newcomer of the Year award.
Rugby was honoured in eight categories collecting the awards for Federation, Administrator, Team, Coach, Sportsman, Newcomer, Sports Star, and People’s Choice winner, with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi collecting the latter two awards.
The eight awards exceeded rugby’s previous best showing (five awards in 2022) and is believed to be the most collected by a single sport in the history of the 17-year-old awards.
“We are greatly appreciative of the honours bestowed on our sport by the judges and the people of South Africa,” said SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, who was in attendance to collect the Federation of the Year Award on behalf of rugby.
“Rugby has worked hard over a long period to reach this point and we are now fortunate to be enjoying a golden age, and these awards are a reward for all that hard work, dedication and passion that are daily poured into the sport at every level – from the school fields to the provincial unions and of course at the Springbok level.
“These trophies are collected by individuals on the night, but I hope that everyone involved in rugby knows that these are their awards as well. It is a happy and humbling occasion for our sport.”
SA’s leading women’s referee Aimee Barrett-Theron was also recognised for her achievements by being nominated in the Technical Officer of the Year category, which was won by hockey umpire Sean Rapaport.
“Siya, Eben and Manie richly deserve their awards, but I know they will be the first to say that they could not have achieved what they have without their team-mates, their coaches and the people who have made sacrifices to help them on their way,” said Oberholzer.
“In the same way the coach of the year award is a tribute to the entire Springbok coaching team.
“Rugby is very lucky to have such ambassadors and role models among its players and leaders and they deserve all the plaudits they receive.”
Saru president Alexander added his thanks to the rugby community: “This is a proud day for rugby, and I’d like to thank my colleagues on the executive council for their support and hard work over the years that has allowed rugby to reach this point.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the millions of South Africans who supported our team throughout their World Cup campaign in 2023. Your enthusiasm and encouragement have been invaluable to us.
“We have had to endure some very tough times on and off the field and we can never relax our vigilance, but these awards are a tribute to everyone engaged in the sport, wherever they are in the country.”
The country’s sporting excellence continue to position South Africa globally as a winning nation across all athletic disciplines and further demonstrated that South Africa continues to be united despite their cultural diversity.
The past three decades have seen history-making achievements, from the dismantling of apartheid through negotiations and reconciliation to the establishment of a constitutional democracy founded on the principles of equality, justice, and human rights.
South Africa has also made incredible gains in the various sporting fraternities over the past 30 years, from being excluded from the international gaming scene to ranking in the top tiers across multiple athletic codes.
The SA Sport Awards 17th Edition Winners are:
| Sport Administrator of the Year |
| Mark Alexander |
| Sportsman of the Year |
| Eben Etzebeth |
| Sportsman of the Year with a Disability |
| Mpumelelo Mhlongo |
| Sportswomen of the Year |
| Kisten Neuschafer |
| Sportswomen of the Year with a Disability |
| Simone Kruger |
| Team of the Year |
| Springboks |
| Newcomer of the Year |
| Manie Libbok |
| Coach of the Year |
| Jacques Nienaber |
| Volunteer of the Year |
| Rebecca Ntsanwisi “Mama Beka” (Vakhegula Vakhegula) |
| Indigenous Games Team of the Year |
| GP Diketo Team |
| National Federation of the Year |
| South African Rugby Union |
| Recreation Body of the Year |
| Amandla Social Enterprises (WC) |
| Photographer of the Year |
| Samuel Shivambu |
| Journalist of the Year |
| Khanyiso Tshwaku |
| Sports Star of the Year |
| Siya Kolisi Springboks Captain |
| People’s Choice Athlete of the Year |
| Siya Kolisi |
| School team of the year |
| Hoer Lanbouskool Oakdale – Tug of War 560kg Men |
| Developing school of the year |
| Hlabi Secondary School Netball U19 team |
#izinjaZegame #SASA17thEdition
