After much anticipation, the glitz and glamour of the 2024 SA Rugby Awards are finally here! For the first time in years, this prestigious ceremony makes a grand return as an in-person event in Cape Town, promising an evening of celebration, recognition, and rugby excellence.
For fans eager to catch every thrilling moment, the awards will be broadcast live in South Africa. Tune in to SuperSport Grandstand, Rugby Channel 211, or Variety 4 from 7pm onwards to witness history in the making.
A Stellar Year to Celebrate The past year has been monumental for SA Rugby, with unforgettable highlights. The Springboks cemented their legacy by claiming their fourth World Cup title, ascending back to the coveted No. 1 spot in the world rankings. On the domestic front, the Sharks delivered standout performances at the franchise level, while the Free State Cheetahs enjoyed a stirring resurgence in the local scene.
Individually, several players shone brilliantly. Among the Springboks, stars like Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth, and Damian de Allende stole the spotlight and are in the running for the prestigious Men’s Player of the Year award.
The Contenders to Watch Here’s a sneak peek at the nominees for some of the evening’s top awards:
- Men’s Player of the Year: Damian de Allende, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Ox Nche
- Women’s Player of the Year: Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Chumisa Qawe, Nadine Roos, Vainah Ubisi
- Young Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cameron Hanekom, Jordan Hendrikse, Quan Horn, Henco van Wyk
- Team of the Year: Sharks, Springboks, Springbok Sevens
- Coach of the Year: Rassie Erasmus, Philip Snyman, Jake White
Additionally, the ceremony will also spotlight referees, provincial women’s players, and associate members in other exciting award categories.
A Legacy of Champions As we look forward to crowning the newest rugby greats, it’s worth reflecting on past icons who’ve claimed the Player of the Year title. Legends like Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Eben Etzebeth have etched their names in history—and tonight, another name will join this illustrious list.