Bosch, Du Preez grab SA Rugby awards

Bosch, who was a standout performer for the Junior Springboks at the U20 World Cup earlier this year, won the Junior Springbok of the Year award. He pipped Manie Libbok and soon-to-be Sharks teammate Jeremy Ward - who will play for the Durban outfit in next year's Super Rugby competition.

The 19-year-old fullback had an impressive season and showed plenty of promise for the Sharks in the Currie Cup.

Bosch was also up for the Young Player of the Year award which went to Lions hooker Malcolm Marx.

Fellow Sharks youngster Jean-Luc du Preez was awarded the Players' Player of the Year award - which is voted for by the players themselves. That caps off an exciting weekend for Du Preez, who was named in the Springbok squad for the end of year tour.

Meanwhile Stormers lock Pieter-Steph du Toit was named Player of the Year for an outstanding Super Rugby season. He was also a shining light for the Springboks in what has been a tough year.

In addition to Marx's award, the Lions scooped up plenty of silverware on the night. The Johannesburg outfit was named Team of the Year for their Super Rugby campaign, which saw them go all the way to the final. Their boss Johan Ackermann was deservedly named Coach of the Year. To top it off, flyhalf Elton Jantjies won the Super Rugby player of the Year award while Jacques Nel, the younger brother of Blitzbok Ruhan Nel, was awarded the Supersport try of the Year.

The award winners are (followed by nominees in alphabetical order):

SA Rugby Player of the Year: Pieter-Steph du Toit

Nominees: Ruan Combrinck, Eben Etzebeth, Jaco Kriel, Warren Whiteley

Young Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx

Nominees: Curwin Bosch, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Seabelo Senatla, RG Snyman

Players’ Player of the Year, presented by MyPlayers: Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks)

Team of the Year: Emirates Lions (Vodacom Super Rugby)

Nominees: Springbok Sevens, Toyota Free State Cheetahs (Currie Cup Premier Division)

Coach of the Year: Johan Ackermann (Emirates Lions, Xerox Golden Lions)

Nominees: Brent Janse van Rensburg (Boland), Neil Powell (Springbok Sevens)

Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Curwin Bosch

Nominees: Manie Libbok, Jeremy Ward

SA Sevens Player of the Year: Seabelo Senatla

Nominees: Kyle Brown, Rosko Specman

Vodacom Super Rugby Player of Year: Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions)

Nominees: Ruan Combrinck (Emirates Lions), Warren Whiteley (Emirates Lions)

Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Ox Nche (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)

Nominees: Huw Jones (DHL Western Province), Nico Lee (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)

Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Masixole Banda (Border)

Nominees: Johan Deysel (Leopards), George Whitehead (Griffons)

Supersport Try of the Year: Jacques Nel (Xerox Golden Lions v DHL Western Province, Currie Cup Premier Division)

Nominees: Garth April (Cell C Sharks v Sunwolves, Vodacom Super Rugby); Ruan Combrinck (Emirates Lions v Crusaders, Vodacom Super Rugby Qualifier); Rohan Janse van Rensburg (second try, Emirates Lions v Vodacom Bulls, Vodacom Super Rugby); Paul Jordaan (second try, Cell C Sharks v Southern Kings, Vodacom Super Rugby); Sylvian Mahuza (Emirates Lions v Southern Kings, Vodacom Super Rugby); Courtnall Skosan (Emirates Lions v Highlanders, Vodacom Super Rugby semi-final and Emirates Lions v Crusaders, Vodacom Super Rugby Qualifier).

Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Year: Damian Willemse (DHL Western Province)

Outsurance Referee Award: Rasta Rasivhenge

Springbok Women’s Achiever Award: Marithy Pienaar

Best Development Programme Award: Blue Bulls Rugby Union

Nominees: KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union, Western Province Rugby Football Union

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