IN ELITE COMPANY
SPECIAL: ONLY THE FIFTH BOK TO WIN MORE THAN ONCE
Supreme accolade for Du Toit admired by every rugby fan.
Springbok and Stormers forward Pieter-Steph du Toit joined an exclusive club yesterday when he received his second SA Rugby Player-of-the-Year award in the space of three years.
Du Toit, who also won the accolade in 2016, became only the fifth player since 1992 to claim the crown more than once, with the others being Bryan Habana (2005, 2007 and 2012), Schalk Burger (2004 and 2011), Jean de Villiers (2008 and 2013) and Fourie du Preez (2006 and 2009).
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus felt Du Toit had a superb season and he thoroughly deserved the award.
“His contribution to the (Bok) team as a tireless workhorse who never gives up, but also as one of the leaders in our squad, was invaluable,” Erasmus said.
“I would like to congratulate him on this wonderful achievement.”
Du Toit, 26, who has won 46 caps since his Test debut in 2013, edged out fellow Boks Aphiwe Dyanyti, Franco Mostert, Handré Pollard and last year’s winner Malcolm Marx at the annual SA Rugby Awards.
After captaining the Boks against Wales in the United States last season, Du Toit went on to make a staggering 202 tackles, 128 ball carries and took 28 lineouts in 14 Tests in the 2018 campaign, while he and prop Steven Kitshoff were the only players who featured in every Bok match.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander also credited Du Toit for receiving recognition once again.
“On behalf of the South African rugby fraternity, I congratulate him,” Alexander said.
“Pieter-Steph was a tireless workhorse for the Springboks in 2018, and apart from the many big hits and strong runs he put in, he also played a key leadership role.
“He’s only 26 and still has his best years ahead, something I’m sure most Bok supporters will keep a very keen eye on.”
Sergeal Petersen, who scored eight tries in eight matches for Western Province last year, was the Currie Cup Premier Division Player-of-the-Year, while the Valke’s Etienne Taljaard, with 13 tries in seven appearances, earned the accolade in the First Division of the domestic competition.
The SuperSport Rugby Challenge Player-of-the-Year award went to Chris Smith of the Pumas, who scored 131 points for the eventual champions of the series, and Evan Roos of Western Province was named Craven Week Player-of-the-Year.
The Springbok Sevens squad and their coach, Neil Powell, won the awards for Team and Coach-of-the-Year after another superb season in which they successfully defended their World Sevens Series title in dramatic fashion.
Dylan Sage, who made the World Rugby Sevens Series Dream Team for 2017/18, was named Sevens Player of the Year.
Lions midfielder Wandisile Simelane was named Junior Springbok Player-of-the-Year and Nolusindiso Booi, captain of the Bok Women’s team, was named the Women’s Achiever-of-the-Year, while Jaco Peyper was unveiled as the Referee-of-the-Year.