Portia Modise is the SA Sports Star of the Year
Recognised for her contribution to women's football at the SA Sports Awards in Johannesburg, Portia Modise said it was a great boost for women in sport.
"This is the beginning for other women to receive this award," the SA Sports Star of the Year said. "My winning has opened doors for other players to get more recognition."
Modise stole the honours by becoming the first women to win the public vote.
She came out tops ahead of Ernst van Dyk, Chad le Clos, Khotso Mokoena, AB de Villiers and Duane Vermeulen.
In October she also became the first African player to score 100 international goals.
She scored her 99th and coveted 100th goal in October during Banyana Banyana's 5-1 victory over Algeria, in an African Women's Championships group game.
Olympic gold medallist Le Clos was named Sportsman of the Year, clinching the award ahead of mountain bike world champ Greg Minnaar and track and field athletes Mokoena and Cornel Fredericks.
(Above: Portia Modise with fans at the SA Sports Awards)
SA road and time trial champion Ashleigh Moolman Pasio was handed the Sportswoman of the Year award for her standout performances this season.
She made her first Commonwealth Games appearance in Glasgow this year bagging a bronze medal in the women's road race.
She then headed the SA elite women's team at last month's UCI Road World Championships, where she finished in the top 20 of the women's road race.
"It's moving to have the entire country behind you," Pasio said. "I'm delighted to have won this award for something I'm really passionate about."
The Sportsman of the Year with Disability went to cyclist Ernst Van Dyk, who this year won his tenth Boston Marathon title. Justine Asher, also a cyclist, was crowned Sportswoman of the Year with Disability.
The national under-19 cricket side carried off the Team of the Year award while Shakes Mashaba was crowned Coach of the Year.
Bafana Bafana were undefeated under Mashaba, who led the team to their first Africa Cup of Nations qualification in six years.
Hurdler Gezelle Magerman scooped the Newcomer of the Year award, Triathlon SA was recognised as the Federation of the Year and Free State Cricket president Nokuzola Thamae was selected as Administrator of the Year.
Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula honoured Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen, suffering from motor neuron disease, with the life-time achievement award.
(Photos: Gallo Images)
