SA Rugby Awards 2025: A season that demanded to be celebrated

Some seasons quietly pass by. Others leave fingerprints all over history.
The SA Rugby Awards 2025 fall firmly into the second category.

When SA Rugby confirmed nominees across nine major categories this week, it felt less like a routine awards announcement and more like a snapshot of one of the most complete years South African rugby has produced in the professional era.

From World Cup milestones to record-breaking tours and breakthrough young stars, 2025 gave voters plenty to think about.

A heavyweight race for Men’s Player Of The Year

At the top of the bill is a fiercely competitive shortlist for SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, led by reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx.

He is joined by familiar enforcers and rising stars in Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ox Nche, Jasper Wiese, and a first-time nominee who captured the imagination of fans throughout the year, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

What makes this list particularly striking is that all five were also named in World Rugby’s 2025 Dream Team. It is a reminder of just how influential South African players were on the global stage, not just at home.

Social media reaction has largely centred on Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s inclusion, with fans praising his composure and creativity in a Bok side often defined by brute force. Many see his nomination as proof that flair and structure can coexist in green and gold.

A watershed year for the Springbok Women

If there was one storyline that united the rugby public in 2025, it was the rise of the Springbok Women.

Four former winners Nadine Roos, Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, and Babalwa Latsha return to the shortlist, joined by Byrhandre Dolf, after South Africa reached the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

In a rugby culture that has historically sidelined the women’s game, this achievement resonated far beyond the scoreboard. Fans, former players and even casual viewers flooded timelines with praise, calling it a turning point rather than a once-off run.

Youth leading the next generation

The Young Player of the Year category reads like a glimpse into the future.

Four nominees Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, and Zachary Porthen earned Test caps in 2025, while Haashim Pead announced himself on the world stage with a starring role in the Junior Boks’ World Rugby U20 Championship triumph.

Pead’s double nomination, including Junior Springbok Player of the Year, reflects how central he has become to South Africa’s next wave. For a country obsessed with pipeline depth, it is reassuring evidence that the conveyor belt is still running smoothly.

Blitzboks and junior success reflect system strength

The Springbok Sevens trio of Selvyn Davids, Shilton van Wyk, and Impi Visser headline the men’s Sevens category after helping secure the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles.

That success, alongside the Junior Boks’ U20 title, feeds directly into the Team and Coach of the Year nominations. Rassie Erasmus, Philip Snyman, Kevin Foote, and Swys de Bruin all find themselves recognised for seasons defined by clarity, cohesion and belief.

For many supporters, Erasmus’ nomination feels almost routine now, but online discussion has highlighted Swys de Bruin’s impact with the Bok Women as one of the most meaningful coaching stories of the year.

Domestic rugby still matters

While international success often dominates headlines, the Carling Currie Cup categories underline the competition’s ongoing relevance.

Suzuki Griquas’ dominance in the Premier Division is reflected in nominations for Gurshwin Wehr and George Whitehead, while Donavan Don carries the hopes of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers. In the First Division, Andrew Kota, Willem van den Hever, and Keagan Fortune represent provinces still fighting for broader recognition.

More than trophies, a reflection of momentum

The FNB Fans’ Moments of the Year category perhaps captures the spirit of 2025 best, featuring everything from the Springboks’ record win over the All Blacks in New Zealand to the Junior Boks lifting the U20 trophy.

Awards nights often divide opinion. This one feels different. The nominees tell a consistent story of depth, alignment and belief across South African rugby.

Whatever happens on the night, the real victory is clear already. South African rugby did not just win matches in 2025. It moved forward together.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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