The SA rugby team players and officials are set to win big at the SA Sports Awards after a list of nominees was released by Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa.
All the winners will be announced at a glittering function to be held at the Sun City Superbowl on Sunday, May 5.
People’s Choice Award
Captain fantastic and Rugby World Cup winning Siya Kolisi was nominated in the Sports Star of the Year category. He was also nominated in the People’s Choice Award category.
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok was named in the category for Newcomer of the Year.
Former Boks coach Jacques Nienaber, who won the World Cup with the team last year in France, was listed in the Coach of the Year category.
The towering Eben Etzebeth will be in the same categories as his teammate Kolisi — in the Sportsman of the Year and People’s Choice categories.
The officials and administrators of SA Rugby could also get the nod in the Sports Federation of the Year. This includes the Administrator of the Year and the Team of the Year categories.
Other notable nominees include long-distance running sensation Gerda Steyn and sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer. They have been nominated in the People’s Choice category for the 17th edition of these prestigious awards. Superstars such as Kgothatso Montjane, Tatjana Smith and Sivenathi Nontshinga will be hoping to take home awards of their own as well.
Significant time in South Africa’s history
Said Kodwa after the announcement: “The 17th edition of the South African Sports Awards takes place in a significant time in South Africa’s history. We celebrate 30 years of democracy. And our national athletes and teams have been raising the nation’s flag sky high.
“In the SA Sport Awards, we celebrate the role sport continues to play to unite our diverse people and in lifting the nation’s mood. South African sport is enjoying unprecedented success.
“Our athletes and sports teams have made us all so proud with their performances. I congratulate all the nominees for the 17th edition of the awards,” he added.
Full List of Nominees:
SPORT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
• Mark Alexander
• Sibongile Fondini
• Louis Polome
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
• Kirsten Neuschäfer
• Tatjana Smith
• Laura Wolvaardt
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
• Andrew Birkett
• Eben Etzebeth
• Sivenathi Nontshinga
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
• Mpumelelo Mhlongo
• Donald Tebogo Ramphadi
• David Watts
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
• Simoné Kruger
• Kat Swanepoel
• Kgothatso Montjane
COACH OF THE YEAR
• Jacques Nienaber
• Rocco Meiring
• Jason Sewanyana
SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
• Khanyiso Tshwaku
• Sihle Ndebele
• Vaylen Kirtley
SPORT PHOTO OR VISUAL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
• Samuel Shivambu
• Vincent Matlou
• Kirsten Olivier
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
• Gerald Coetzee
• Manie Libbok
• Karabo Cassius Morapedi
• Elanza Jordaan
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
• Hubert Oliphant
• Beka Ntsangwese
• Zelma Basson
SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR
• Siya Kolisi
• Tatjana Smith
• Simoné Kruger
TEAM OF THE YEAR
• Springboks
• T20 Women Cricket Team
• Sheep Shearing
FEDERATION OF THE YEAR
• South African Rugby Union
• Cricket South Africa
• Cycling South Africa
RECREATION BODY OF THE YEAR
• Amandal WC
• Made 4 More
• Vakhegula-Vhakhegula
