Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has been named SA Rugby Player of the Year for 2021, edging out strong competition from teammates such as Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Eben Etzebeth and Makazole Mapimpi to become the first Bok captain since Jean de Villiers in 2013 to win the prestigious award.
The 30-year-old Kolisi, who was dubbed the MTN Springbok of the Castle Lager Lions Series in 2021, was the only Springbok to play in all 13 Tests that year.
The Springboks were also honoured for their excellent 2021 season, walking away with the Team of the Year award, while Bulls coach Jake White was crowned Coach of the Year.
?? Ladies and gentlemen, your SA Rugby Player of the Year for 2021 is none other than our Springbok captain, @SiyaKolisi, who led by example and is the only player to feature in all 13 Tests last year. Siyavuyisana nawe Siya! #SARugbyAwards #StrongerTogether #StrongerForever pic.twitter.com/q0VtoKQO8E
— Springboks (@Springboks) January 27, 2022
View this post on Instagram
Here are the winners for 2021:
SA Rugby Player of the Year: Siya Kolisi
SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Aphelele Fassi (Springboks / Cell C Sharks)
Springbok Women’s Player of the Year: Lusanda Dumke
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: Ronald Brown
Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Henco van Wyk
Team of the Year: Springboks
Coach of the Year: Jake White (Vodacom Bulls)
Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Dylan Maart (Boland Kavaliers)
Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Lusanda Dumke (Border Ladies)
Castle Lager Test Try of the Year: Cheslin Kolbe – Springboks v British & Irish Lions (third Test)
Finalists: Cobus Reinach – Springboks vs Georgia; Makazole Mapimpi – Springboks vs British & Irish Lions; Sizophila Solontsi – Springbok Women vs Kenya; Aphelele Fassi – Springboks vs Argentina; Damian de Allende – Springboks vs New Zealand; Malcolm Marx – Springboks vs Wales; Makazole Mapimpi – Springboks vs Scotland; Zintle Mpupha – Springbok Women v Wales; Libbie Janse van Rensburg – Springbok Women v Wales
OUTsurance Referee of the Year: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Also read:
Determination over age: 31-year-old returns to high school, secures matric certificate
Picture: Twitter