Eben Etzebeth, the double Rugby World Cup-winning lock for the Springboks, achieved a remarkable feat by becoming only the second player ever to clinch consecutive SA Rugby’s Player of the Year awards. This honour was bestowed upon him at the prestigious SA Rugby Awards ceremony held at Multichoice City in Johannesburg on Thursday, March 14th. 

Etzebeth’s outstanding performance throughout the season earned him this recognition, particularly notable as he contributed significantly to the Springboks’ successful defence of the Webb Ellis Cup in France last October.

Meanwhile, Canan Moodie, the Springbok wing, mirrored Etzebeth’s achievement by securing the Young Player of the Year Award once again. 

Additionally, Libbie Janse van Rensburg dominated the women’s categories, claiming both the Springbok Women and Provincial Player of the Year titles for 2023.

Following their triumph in France, Jacques Nienaber and the Springboks were recognized as Coach and Team of the Year respectively. 

Other notable awards included Ricardo Duartee as Springbok Men’s Sevens Player of the Year and Corne Beets as Junior Springbok Player of the Year.

Cheslin Kolbe’s memorable charge-down of a Thomas Ramos conversion in the RWC quarter-final earned him the SuperSport Fans’ Moment of the Year award, a new category determined by social media voting.

Various players were also honoured for their exceptional performances at franchise and provincial levels, including Manie Libbok, Ruan Pienaar, and Cameron Hufke.

In a significant addition to the awards, the SA Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA) was recognized as the Associate Member of the Year, acknowledging their commendable governance and growth within South Africa, particularly highlighted by their fourth-place finish in the World Deaf Rugby Championship in Argentina.

SA Rugby Awards 2023 winners and finalists (where applicable):

SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year: Eben Etzebeth
Finalists: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Damian Willemse

Springbok Women’s Player of the Year: Libbie Janse van Rensburg
Finalists: Aseza Hele, Babalwa Latsha, Rights Mkhari, Nadine Roos

SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Canan Moodie (Springboks / Vodacom Bulls)
Finalists: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks / Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (Springboks / DHL Stormers), Ruan Venter (Emirates Lions)

Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year: Ricardo Duarttee
Finalists: Christie Grobbelaar, Shilton van Wyk

Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Corne Beets
Finalists: Paul de Villiers, Damian Markus

Team of the Year: Springboks
Finalists: Toyota Cheetahs, DHL Stormers

Coach of the Year: Jacques Nienaber (Springboks)
Finalists: Hawies Fourie (Toyota Cheetahs), John Dobson (DHL Stormers)

Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Ruan Pienaar (Toyota Cheetahs)
Finalists: Tinus de Beer (Airlink Pumas), Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas)

Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Cameron Hufke (Boland Kavaliers)
Finalists: Keagan Fortune (Valke), Darian Hock (Boland Kavaliers)

SuperSport Fans’ Moment of the Year: Cheslin Kolbe
Finalists: Bongi Mbonambi, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse

Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies)

OUTsurance Referee of the Year: Jaco Peyper

Vodacom United Rugby Championship Fans’ Player of the Season (announced last year): Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers)

SA Rugby Associate Member of the Year: SA Deaf Rugby Association