Sports

Malcolm Marx And Nadine Roos Headline A Golden Night At The SA Rugby Awards

Published

17 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Nikita

Source: Springboks on X {https://x.com/Springboks/status/2029565095664025989/photo/2}

South African rugby’s standout stars were celebrated in style on Thursday evening as Malcolm Marx and Nadine Roos walked away with the top honours at the 2025 SA Rugby Awards.

The glittering ceremony recognised what many insiders believe was one of the most successful years in the history of the game in South Africa. From Springbok dominance on the international stage to major breakthroughs in women’s rugby and junior development, the evening reflected a sport firing on all cylinders.

For Marx and Roos, the awards confirmed what many fans across the country already knew. Their performances throughout the past season helped drive South African rugby to new heights.

Marx Leads The Way For The Springboks

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was named SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, adding another prestigious accolade to his career.

Marx edged out a formidable group of finalists that included Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ox Nche and Jasper Wiese. The award marks the second time he has claimed the honour after first winning it in 2017.

His consistent performances in the Springbok pack played a key role in a dominant season for the national side.

Nadine Roos Continues To Shine In Women’s Rugby

In the women’s category, Nadine Roos once again proved why she is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in South African rugby.

Roos was named SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year for a second consecutive season, recognising her impact during a campaign in which the Springbok Women reached the Rugby World Cup playoffs for the first time.

She finished ahead of finalists Byrhandré Dolf, Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Babalwa Latsha.

Roos also doubled up on the night by claiming the Springbok Women’s Sevens Player of the Year award, underlining her versatility and influence across both formats of the game.

The ceremony also introduced a new award aimed at recognising rising female talent, with Byrhandré Dolf named the first-ever SA Rugby Young Women’s Player of the Year.

A Historic Year For South African Rugby

The awards reflected a season that SA Rugby president Mark Alexander described as possibly the greatest year in the organisation’s history.

The Springboks were named Team of the Year, while head coach Rassie Erasmus claimed the Coach of the Year award after the national side defended the Rugby Championship title and won 11 of their 13 Tests during the 2025 campaign.

But it was not only the senior national team that impressed.

The Junior Springboks lifted the World Rugby Under-20 Championship for the first time since 2012, while the Blitzboks claimed victory in the HSBC SVNS World Championship, showcasing the depth of talent emerging from South Africa’s rugby structures.

Across the country, from club rugby to franchise competitions, the success of the national teams highlighted the strength of the sport’s development pathways.

Special Honours For Leaders Of The Game

Several influential figures in South African rugby also received special recognition.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was presented with the Spirit of ’95 Award, celebrating his leadership and the role he has played in promoting unity and inclusivity in the sport.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus also received the Springbok Legacy Award, acknowledging his long-term contribution to the success and global standing of the Springboks.

Former Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi was honoured for reaching 50 Test caps, becoming the first player in the women’s national team to reach the milestone before retiring in 2025.

Behind the scenes, several members of the Springbok management team were also recognised for their service to the game, including team manager Charles Wessels, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, and technical analyst Lindsay Weyer.

The evening’s President’s Award went to Gavin Varejes, who has spent more than three decades supporting rugby in South Africa through grassroots development initiatives and community programmes.