Cheslin Kolbe has been named as the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year.

For the first time since Jean de Villiers in 2013, a Springboks backline player has been named SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year with Cheslin Kolbe claiming the honour.

The double World Cup-winning winger was unveiled as the winner during the prestigious SA Rugby Awards ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town on Thursday evening.

It was a memorable night for the backs as Springboks Women’s star Nadine Roos took home the top women’s award for a second time.

Kolbe crowned Springboks’ best

Kolbe claimed the gong beating an impressive set of nominees including 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit as well as fellow previous winner Eben Etzeebth, Damian de Allende and Ox Nche.

The hot-stepping flyer played a pivotal role in the Springboks’ triumphant season, which saw the team secure 11 victories in 13 Tests and recapture the Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup titles.

The team’s results in 2024 also earned Rassie Erasmus the Coach of the Year accolade ahead of Bulls boss Jake White and Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman while the Springboks were named Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu received the Young Player of the Year award, recognising his breakthrough season while Jurenzo Julius was named Junior Springbok Player of the Year for his impressive form for the SA U20s.

Selvyn Davids, who was included in World Rugby’s Dream Team, was named the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year, playing a key role as they won bronze at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Renzo du Plessis and Ashlon Davids were named the Carling Currie Cup Players of the Year for the Premier and First Divisions respectively, adding their names to that of Sanele Nohamba, who won the SA URC Player of the Season Award for 2024.

Jakkie Cilliers was recognized as Provincial Women’s Player of the Year, while AJ Jacobs was named OUTsurance Referee of the Year.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander hailed Kolbe’s achievement as a milestone for backline players while he also praised the contributions of all the other award winners.

“Cheslin’s recognition is a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the field,” said Alexander.

“It’s amazing to think that the last backline player to win the top award was former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers in 2013, and to have Cheslin take the top prize this year, is just reward for the amazing things he’s done for the Springboks in the last six years.

“He truly embodies the spirit of excellence that defines South African rugby. We are blessed with incredible talent in South African rugby, as evidenced by the accomplishments of national players such as Nadine, Sacha, Jurenzo and Selvyn.

“Cheslin may have led the charge, but everyone involved with the Springboks deserves recognition for one of our best seasons ever, and Rassie’s role in this resurgence from where we were under a decade ago has to be applauded.”

SA Rugby Awards 2024 winners and finalists:

SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year: Cheslin Kolbe
Finalists: Damian De Allende, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche

SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Roos
Finalists: Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Chumisa Qawe, Vainah Ubisi

SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Springboks / DHL Stormers)
Finalists: Cameron Hanekom (Springboks / Vodacom Bulls), Jordan Hendrikse (Springboks / Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Springboks / Emirates Lions), Henco van Wyk (Emirates Lions)

Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year: Selvyn Davids
Finalists: Zain Davids, Ryan Oosthuizen

Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Jurenzo Julius
Finalists: Bathobele Hlekani, JF van Heerden

Team of the Year: Springboks
Finalists: Hollywoodbets Sharks, Springbok Sevens

Coach of the Year: Rassie Erasmus (Springboks)
Finalists: Philip Snyman (Springbok Sevens), Jake White (Vodacom Bulls)

Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Renzo du Plessis (Fidelity ADT Lions)
Finalists: Clinton Swart (Airlink Pumas), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks XV)

Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Ashlon Davids (Sanlam Boland Kavaliers)
Finalists: Jayden Bantom (Eastern Province), Thurlow Marsh (Sanlam Boland Kavaliers)

Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies)

OUTsurance Referee of the Year: AJ Jacobs

President’s Award: KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union

SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season (announced last year): Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions)

SA Rugby Associate Member of the Year: SA Schools Rugby Association (SASRA)