Springboks SA Rugby Etzebeth

Springboks stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

CONFIRMED: When SA Rugby awards will be unveiled

The SA Rugby award winners for 2022 will be unveiled next week, with the Player of the Year accolade sure to be hotly contested.

Springboks SA Rugby Etzebeth

Springboks stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

SA Rugby announced the award nominees in nine categories at the end of last year, with Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Frans Malherbe earning nominations for the top award.

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Our writers believe it will be a two-horse race between Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth for the SA Rugby Player of the Year award, while there are also some strong contenders for the Young Player of the Year.

Below we have picked our predicted winners. (*Let us know in the comments section who you believe will walk away with the awards.)

THE SA RUGBY NOMINEES ARE (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):

SA Rugby Player of the Year
Lukhanyo Am
Kurt-Lee Arendse
Eben Etzebeth
Siya Kolisi
Frans Malherbe

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: Siya Kolisi

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Eben Etzebeth

Springbok Women’s Player of the Year
Lusanda Dumke
Aseza Hele
Zintle Mpupha
Aphiwe Ngwevu
Nadine Roos

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: Nadine Roos

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Nadine Roos

SA Rugby Young Player of the Year
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Junior Springboks / South Africa ‘A’ / Stormers)
Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks / Sharks)
Canan Moodie (Springboks / Bulls)
Evan Roos (Springboks / Stormers)
Henco van Wyk (South Africa ‘A’ / Lions)

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: Jaden Hendrikse

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Jaden Hendrikse

Springbok Sevens Player of the Year
Selvyn Davids
Zain Davids
JC Pretorius

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: JC Pretorius

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Selvyn Davids

Junior Springbok Player of the Year
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Suleiman Hartzenberg
Ruan Venter

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Team of the Year
Pumas
Stormers
Springboks

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: Stormers

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Stormers

Coach of the Year
John Dobson (Stormers)
Jacques Nienaber (Springboks)
Jimmy Stonehouse (Pumas)

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: John Dobson (Stormers)

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: John Dobson (Stormers)

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Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year
Sebastiaan de Klerk (Airlink Pumas)
Willie Engelbrecht (Airlink Pumas)
Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas)

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: Devon Williams

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Willie Engelbrecht

Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year
Jaiden Baron (Boland Kavaliers)
Jaywinn Juries (Griffons)
Duan Pretorius (Griffons)

Craig Lewis’ predicted winner: Duan Pretorius

Mariette Adams’ predicted winner: Jaiden Baron

The SA Rugby Young Player of the Year awards nominees. Photo: SA Rugby