Eben Etzebeth on clinching the Men’s Player of the Year at SA Rugby Awards: 'Dad would be proud'
Etzebeth had a remarkable 2023 where he lost his father to cancer before playing a leading role in the successful World Cup title defence and dedicated the award to him.
South Africa's lock Eben Etzebeth reacts after South Africa won the France 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on 21 October 2023. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth was named as the Men’s Player of the Year at the SA Rugby Awards in Randburg on Thursday night.
The towering forward beat competition from Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe and Damian WIllemse to win the country’s biggest individual prize for a 2nd year in a row – becoming only the second player to win the award in consecutive seasons after Du Toit won it in 2018 and 2019.
Etzebeth had a remarkable 2023 where he lost his father to cancer before playing a leading role in the successful World Cup title defence and dedicated the award to him.
“He would have been a proud man, I wish he could’ve watched the live show tonight, but I know he’s watching from up there. Luckily, he got to see me win it last year. 2023 has been a massive low and also a massive high with other great things happening in my life,” Etzebeth said.
Springbok Women’s flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who played in both the sevens and 15-player codes for her country, cleaned up in the women’s categories by being named Springbok Women and Provincial Player of the Year for 2023.
There was little doubt that Jacques Nienaber would win the Coach of the Year accolade for leading the Boks to their 4th World Cup title – an achievement that also earned them the Team of the Year prize.
Other winners on the night included Springbok wing Canan Moodie, who was recognised as the Young Player of the Year, and Ricardo Duartee was named Springbok Men’s Sevens Player of the Year.
The domestic prizes went to Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok, who was named the URC Player of the Tournament, and 40-year-old Ruan Pienaar went home with the Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year after leading the Cheetahs to the title.
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
SA Rugby Player of the Year winners (since 1992):
1992: Tiaan Strauss
1993: Gavin Johnson
1994: Chester Williams
1995: Ruben Kruger
1996: André Joubert
1997: Os du Randt
1998: Gary Teichmann
1999: André Venter
2000: Breyton Paulse
2001: André Vos
2002: Joe van Niekerk
2003: Ashwin Willemse
2004: Schalk Burger
2005: Bryan Habana
2006: Fourie du Preez
2007: Bryan Habana
2008: Jean de Villiers
2009: Fourie du Preez
2010: Gurthrö Steenkamp
2011: Schalk Burger
2012: Bryan Habana
2013: Jean de Villiers
2014: Duane Vermeulen
2015: Lood de Jager
2016: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2017: Malcolm Marx
2018: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2019: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2020: Duane Vermeulen
2021: Siya Kolisi
2022: Eben Etzebeth
2023: Eben Etzebeth