Cheslin Kolbe Ends 11-Year Drought, Named SA Rugby Player of the Year
For the first time since Jean de Villiers in 2013, a Springboks backline player has claimed SA Rugby’s top individual honor, with Cheslin Kolbe taking home the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year award. The announcement came during a prestigious ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town.
Kolbe’s Impact on the Springboks’ Dominant Year
Kolbe played a crucial role in South Africa’s stellar 2024 campaign, where the Boks won 11 of their 13 Tests, reclaiming both the Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup. His electrifying pace, defensive grit, and game-changing moments set him apart in a competitive field of nominees, which included 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Damian de Allende, and Ox Nche.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus was also honored as Coach of the Year, while the team itself took home Team of the Year, capping off one of the most successful seasons in South African rugby history.
Other Major Award Winners
SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Roos (winning for the second time)
Young Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Jurenzo Julius
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: Selvyn Davids
Kolbe’s victory highlights a rare moment of backline recognition in a Springboks setup historically dominated by forwards. SA Rugby President Mark Alexander called it a milestone moment, saying, “Cheslin truly embodies the spirit of excellence that defines South African rugby.”
What do you think about Kolbe’s win? Was he the rightful winner, or should Pieter-Steph du Toit or Eben Etzebeth have claimed the award?