Senatla and Rasta get top world rugby awards
The 2016 World Rugby awards took place in London this weekend and even though no South African was nominated for the coveted Player of the year, two saffas took home some top honors.
South African rugby is going through a dark stage at the moment with the springboks still trying to find their feet after the appointment of Allister Coetzee.
Having lost heavily to the All blacks and England surely this year is one to forget but two youngsters have brought light in what is a difficult time in SA rugby.
Blitzbokke star Seabelo Senatla has been named world sevens player of the year after his incredible performances in the sevens circuit.
Senatla scored a total of 66 tries this season and played a major part in the boks bronze medal triumph at the Rio Olympics.
With blistering pace and skill Senatla is regarded as the best sevens player to ever come out from Africa and his efforts were duly rewarded.
Rasta Rasivhenge and Alhambra Nievas were named joint winners in the Referee of the Year category.
Rasta is the only black South African to take charge of a Currie Cup final and also blew the whistle in the gold medal match in Rio.
All awards were selected by an independent panel of judges, chaired by Australia's 1999 World Cup-winning captain John Eales.
All Black flyha;f Beaudan Barrit wa;lked away with the world player of the year while the All Blacks also took home team of the year with coach Steve Hansen named coach of the year.
Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers scooped the International Rugby Players' Association Special Merit award.
(File Photo - Gallo Images)