SA Rugby award winners congratulated by Alexander 2022:23

The SA Rugby award winners.

SA Rugby boss: Let’s shift focus to RWC 2023 now

Mark Alexander congratulates SA Rugby award winners, but urges players and coaches to turn attention to the Springboks’ World Cup campaign.

SA Rugby award winners congratulated by Alexander 2022:23

The SA Rugby award winners.

President Mark Alexander has congratulated all the SA Rugby award winners, but has urged players and coaches alike to now turn their attention to the Springboks’ World Cup campaign.

The SA Rugby award winners for 2022 were officially revealed on Tuesday, with Eben Etzebeth taking home the Player of the Year accolade, while his fellow Springbok Canan Moodie won the Young Player of the Year award.

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Alexander congratulated all the winners across the nine award categories, but specifically heaped praise on the Springboks duo, Etzebeth and Moodie.

“Eben has been a Springbok stalwart for more than a decade and it’s just amazing to see how he keeps getting better with age, playing with maturity and providing valuable leadership to the Springboks,” said Alexander.

“Canan was deservedly voted as the Young Player of the Year, and is expected to still make a major mark on South African rugby, which bodes very well for the future.”

SA RUGBY BOSS ALEXANDER WANTS RWC TO BE PRIORITY FROM NOW ON:

But Alexander has also implored players and coaches alike to now turn their full attention to the Springboks in this all-important World Cup year in France, where the South African Test side will look to defend their Webb Ellis Cup between 8 September and 28 October.

“The Boks are building on depth and experience with an eye on the Rugby World Cup later this year, and I think they are in a good space under the coaching of Jacques Nienaber and the captaincy of Siya,” Alexander added.

“But Eben’s role can’t be underestimated as he is not only the most experienced member of the squad, but he also sets the example for younger players and was widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet.”

“The new year is already in full swing, but there is still a lot of rugby to be played and all eyes will be on France in September and October when the Boks defend the Webb Ellis Cup,” Alexander concluded.

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Young SA Rugby award nominees 2022 Alexander
The nominees in the SA Rugby Young Player of the Year category. Photo: SA Rugby.