Pieter-Steph du Toit joins greats of SA rugby
Pieter-Steph du Toit was deservedly named 2018 SA Rugby player of the year on Thursday following a stellar season, to become only the fifth player since 1992 to win the award twice.
The utility forward‚ who is equally comfortable at flank and lock‚ joined modern Bok greats Bryan Habana (2005‚ 2007 and 2012)‚ Schalk Burger (2004 and 2011)‚ Jean de Villiers (2008 and 2013) and Fourie du Preez (2006 and 2009) as multiple winners.
Du Toit also had the honour of becoming Springbok captain No60 when he led the team against Wales in Washington in 2018. The 26-year-old Du Toit‚ who has collected 46 caps since his Test debut in 2013‚ was sublime in the green and gold in 2018. His efforts on the field edged out fellow Boks Aphiwe Dyanyti‚ Franco Mostert‚ Handré Pollard and Malcolm Marx for the top award.
Du Toit made a staggering 202 tackles‚ 128 ball carries and took 28 lineouts in 14 Tests last year. He and Steven Kitshoff are the only players who featured in every Springbok match of 2018.
“This is a magnificent achievement for Pieter-Steph and very well deserved after a superb season for the Springboks and the Stormers. On behalf of the entire SA rugby fraternity‚ I would like to congratulate him‚” said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
`“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 within the team. He’s only 26 and by all accounts he still has his best years ahead — something I’m sure most Bok supporters will keep a very keen eye on,” Alexander said.
Rassie Erasmus‚ director of rugby‚ said: “Pieter-Steph was simply superb last year and he thoroughly deserves this award. His contribution to the team‚ as a tireless workhorse who never gives up‚ but also as one of the leaders in our squad‚ was invaluable‚ and I would like to congratulate him on this wonderful achievement.”
The Springbok Sevens team and their coach‚ Neil Powell‚ recorded a unique double when they were rewarded for another superb season in which they successfully defended their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title in dramatic fashion. They won the awards for team and coach of the year.
Dylan Sage‚ who made the HSBC World Rugby sevens series dream team for 2017/18‚ was named Springbok sevens player of the year.
Exciting midfielder Wandisile Simelane won the award for Junior Springbok player of the year and Nolusindiso Booi‚ the Springbok women’s captain‚ was named the women’s achiever of the year. Springbok tourist 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‚ won the accolade for the First Division.
Jaco Peyper‚ who refereed his fourth Currie Cup Premier Division final and a Super Rugby semifinal and several important Tests‚ was named the referee of the year.