Timmy T Maranda
The Vodacom Bulls made a clean sweep at the annual South Africa Rugby Awards for the 2020 season on Thursday night.
The Pretoria franchise pipped the Springbok Sevens and Cell C Sharks to win the Team of the Year Award, after clinching two domestic titles: the Carling Currie Cup (for the first time since 2009) and the Super Rugby Unlocked title.
Director of Rugby Jake White, who is credited for the Bulls turnaround, won the Coach of the Year for guiding the Bulls to these triumphs, making Loftus Versfeld stadium a fortress in the process.
It came as no surprise that skipper Duene Vermeulen, who led the Vodacom Bulls to two titles as captain, almost took home all the night’s individual awards.
The Springbok number 8 won the biggest award on the night, walking away with SA Rugby Player of the Year, Super Rugby Unlocked and Vodacom Super Rugby Player of the Year.
The Bulls Captain missed out only on the Carling Currie Cup Player of the Year award, which was won by Cornal Hendricks, while Wandisile Simelane won the Young Player of the Year.
Saru President Mark Alexander congratulated all the awards winners, and made a special mention to Jake White, Duane Vermeulen and the Vodacom Bulls for a wonderful season.
“I would like to congratulate Jake and Vodacom Bulls on their season, but I also have to acknowledge all other players who worked tirelessly under the circumstances to ensure we have local rugby in 2020,” Alexander said.
He added: “It was a tough season but Duane Vermeulen was superb – not only in the field of play but off the field, he led his side with aplomb.”
All the SA Rugby Awards winners:
- Rugby Player of the Year: Duane Vermeulen
- SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Wandisile Simelane
- Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: Stedman Gans
- Team of the Year: Vodacom Bulls
- Coach of the Year: Jake White
- Vodacom Super Rugby and Unlocked Player of Year: Duane Vermeulen
- Carling Currie Cup Player of the Year: Cornal Hendricks
- OUTsurance Referee of the Year: Jaco Peyper
