A remarkable season for South African rugby was celebrated at the SA Rugby Awards, with Malcolm Marx and Nadine Roos emerging as the standout winners, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Springbok hooker Marx was crowned SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year after a dominant campaign in 2025, adding the honour to the same award he previously won in 2017.
The powerful forward edged out strong competition from fellow finalists Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ox Nche and Jasper Wiese after playing a major role in another successful year for the Springboks.
Roos continued her dominance in the women’s game by retaining the SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year title for the second consecutive year.
Her performances helped power the Springbok Women to a historic campaign that saw them reach the playoffs of the Rugby World Cup for the first time.
Roos was not finished there, also claiming the inaugural Springbok Women’s Sevens Player of the Year award as part of an expanded recognition for the women’s game.
The evening also saw Byrhandré Dolf named the first SA Rugby Young Women’s Player of the Year, while Ethan Hooker received the honour of SA Rugby Young Men’s Player of the Year.
Success across the national teams continued to be recognised with Shilton van Wyk named Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year and Haashim Pead taking the Junior Springbok Player of the Year award.
A dominant 2025 campaign for the national side was also acknowledged, with the South Africa national rugby union team being named Team of the Year after winning 11 of their 13 Tests and successfully defending the Rugby Championship.
Their head coach Rassie Erasmus was rewarded with the Coach of the Year award following the team’s achievements.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander praised the winners and described 2025 as one of the most memorable years in the sport’s history in the country.
He highlighted Marx’s leadership in the Springbok pack and Roos’s impact in the women’s game, noting that both players were central figures in a season filled with milestones and success.
Beyond the senior men’s side, Alexander pointed to achievements across the broader national structures, including the Junior Springboks winning the World Rugby Under-20 Championship for the first time since 2012 and the Springbok Sevens team capturing the HSBC SVNS World Championship.
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Domestic competitions also produced several award winners.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu claimed the SA URC Player of the Season honour for his performances with the Stormers, while Donavan Don of the Boland Kavaliers was named Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year.
Andrew Kota from the Griffons earned the Currie Cup First Division award and Patience Mokone of the Bulls Daisies was crowned Provincial Women’s Player of the Year.
On the officiating side, Aimee Barrett-Theron was recognised as Referee of the Year for the fourth time after overseeing key matches at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Fans also had their moment to celebrate when the Springboks’ emphatic 43–10 victory over the New Zealand national rugby union team in Wellington was voted the FNB Fans’ Moment of the Year.
Several figures were also honoured with special awards for their contributions to the sport.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi received the Spirit of ’95 Award in recognition of his leadership and influence in promoting unity and inclusivity in the game.
Erasmus was also presented with the Springbok Legacy Award for his long-term impact on the national team and the wider rugby landscape.
Recently retired Springbok Women’s captain Nolusindiso Booi was recognised after reaching 50 Test caps, becoming the first player in the women’s team to reach the milestone.
Additional recognition went to Springbok team manager Charles Wessels for 200 Tests with the national side, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and technical analyst Lindsay Weyer for reaching 100 Tests each.
The prestigious President’s Award was presented to Gavin Varejes in acknowledgement of more than three decades of support for rugby in South Africa, including grassroots development and rural programmes through the South African Rugby Legends Association.
Meanwhile, SA Wheelchair Rugby was named Associate Member of the Year, recognising its role in promoting and growing the sport.
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