Cheslin Kolbe, the Springbok speedster known for his electric pace and skill, made history on Thursday evening by becoming the first backline player since 2013 to win the prestigious SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year award.
The announcement came during a dazzling SA Rugby Awards ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, where Nadine Roos was also honored for the second time with the top women’s rugby award.
Kolbe’s exceptional performances throughout the 2024 season were key to his selection, beating out notable nominees such as previous winners Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit, along with Damian De Allende and Ox Nche.
His contributions were instrumental in the Springboks’ highly successful season, which saw the team secure 11 wins out of 13 Tests and reclaim the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup titles. Kolbe’s standout moments on the field, marked by his electrifying runs and precision, solidified his reputation as one of the world’s premier rugby players.
The success of the Springboks did not stop with Kolbe’s win. The team was named SA Rugby’s Team of the Year, while Rassie Erasmus earned the Coach of the Year title, celebrating their outstanding achievements in 2024.
Kolbe’s victory was seen as a milestone for backline players, as the last time a backline player received the Men’s Player of the Year award was in 2013 when Jean de Villiers took home the honor.
Meanwhile, in women’s rugby, Nadine Roos was recognized for her remarkable versatility and achievements in both fifteens and sevens formats of the game. This marks her second SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award in three years, following her previous win in 2022. Roos has been a key figure in the Springbok Women’s team, and her continued excellence contributed to her recognition.
Other notable awards included Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was named Young Player of the Year after an impressive breakthrough season with the Springboks and DHL Stormers.
Jurenzo Julius claimed the Junior Springbok Player of the Year award, while Selvyn Davids, who was also included in World Rugby’s Dream Team, took home the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year award for his role in securing a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
In domestic rugby, Renzo du Plessis (Fidelity ADT Lions) and Ashlon Davids (Sanlam Boland Cavaliers) were named the Carling Currie Cup Players of the Year for the Premier and First Divisions, respectively. Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions) was also honored with the SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season award.
Jakkie Cilliers, who helped the Bulls Daisies secure their second consecutive Women’s Premier Division title, was named Provincial Women’s Player of the Year. AJ Jacobs was awarded OUTsurance Referee of the Year for his stellar performances on both local and international stages.
The evening also recognized the contributions of rugby development organizations, with the South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA) being named Associate Member of the Year. The KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union received the inaugural President’s Award for its exceptional work in expanding access to the game, development, governance, and overall performance.
In a final celebration of South African rugby’s growth, the Springbok brand achieved a milestone by being ranked 50th among the top 100 brands in South Africa, making it the only sports brand to earn such an honor.
Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, praised Kolbe’s achievement as a reflection of his skill and dedication, noting that his victory was well-deserved.
He also celebrated the performances of all the other award winners, expressing pride in the state of South African rugby as the country looks forward to continuing its success in 2025.
