By Lucky Maree
What a great omen for the very important rugby year that lies ahead.
Not only are the winners genuinely stand-out players in any company around the world, the other candidates for the selections are not far behind.
It’s a case of good, better, best.
In the SA Player of the Year category the candidates were Frans Malherbe (good), Kurt-Lee Arendse (better), Lukhanyo Am (better still), Siya Kolisi (even better still) and without a doubt, Eben Etzebeth is this year’s best.
Likewise, the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year award went to JC Pretorius who won the award in a season where they only just missed out on the World Rugby Sevens Series title.
Was he the best among the nominees like Selvyn Davids and Zain Davids? And what about un-nominated Ricardo Duartte and Shilton van Wyk? The list of good, better, best goes on for at least seven players.
The exception that proves the rule is Nadine Roos who is in a league of her own in both 7s and 15s in South Africa and right up there with the best in the world. She was always the front-runner for Women’s Player of the Year. Other nominees were Lusanda Dumke, Aseza Hele, Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu.
Canan Moodie was voted as the Young Player of the Year, nominated ahead of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Evan Roos and Henco van Wyk. The promise for the future is excellent.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who led the SA Under-20s to victory in the Six Nations U20 Summer Series in Italy was named Junior Springbok Player of the Year, edging out teammates Suleiman Hartzenberg and Ruan Venter.
The DHL Stormers were voted as Team of the Year after winning the URC and coach John Dobson (the best) got the nod ahead of Coach of the Year . The Springboks and Jacques Nienaber were nominated (very good) and the Pumas and Jimmy Stonehouse (so very good).
Premier Division Player of the Year is Puma’s player Sebastian de Klerk ahead of Willie Engelbrecht and Devon Williams.
Did the right people win? It doesn’t matter. Anybody could have won. Anything can still happen, but heading into the World Cup, things are looking good, better, bestest every day.
Pictured above: Eben Etzebeth
Image source: @jaredwright17
