Bok trio walk away with top accolades
AWARDS: The Springbok trio of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Herschel Jantjies and Dillyn Leyds walked away with the top accolades at the WPRFU awards on Tuesday.
World Rugby Player of the Year Du Toit was named Forward of the Year, while scrumhalf Jantjies claimed the Back of the Year and the coveted Players' Player of the Year, with Leyds named Most Valuable Player.
All three players featured prominently for the Stormers this year, with Du Toit going on to be recognised as the best player in the world and Jantjies nominated as World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year, having made a huge impression in his first season after making both his Stormers and Springbok debut in 2019.
Lock Salmaan Moerat was WP Most Promising Forward and wing Edwill van der Merwe the Most Promising Back, while flank Nokubonga Siko was named Women's Player of the Year for her role in the WP Women's third straight national title.
Club rugby Player of the year was Ruan Laubscher from Durbanville-Bellville, Club Rugby Sevens Player of the Year was Rosco Syster from Tygerberg and Schools Player of the Year was Dylan de Leeuw.
Club Referee of the Year was Petrus van der Merwe and Referee of the Year Aimee Barrett-Theron.
WP Most Promising Under-19 Player was Ryan van Ster, with WP Best Back U19 Mnomnbo Zwelendaba and WP Most Promising Forward De Wet Marais.
WP Most Promising U21 Player was Gift Dlamini, with WP Most Promising Back U21 David Kriel and WP Most Promising Forward Schalk Erasmus.
Robbie Fleck received a special award in recognition of his exceptional service to WP Rugby as both a player and a coach.
WPRFU President Zelt Marais said that it was fantastic to recognise the stars of the rugby community after an eventful year.
"There are so many people who have contributed to making 2019 a memorable year and it was wonderful to pay tribute to them.
"We look forward to rugby at all levels growing stronger next year as we seek to reach new heights," he said.
WPRFU awards 2019:
Most Valuable Player: Dillyn Leyds
Players' Player: Herschel Jantjies
Best Forward: Pieter-Steph du Toit
Best Back: Herschel Jantjies
WP Most Promising Forward: Salmaan Moerat
WP Most Promising Back: Edwill van der Merwe
Women's Player of the Year: Nokubonga Siko
Club Rugby Player of the Year: Ruan Laubscher (Durbanville-Bellville)
Club Rugby Sevens Player of the Year: Rosco Syster: Tygerberg
Schools Player of the Year: Dylan de Leeuw
Referee of the Year: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Club referee of the Year: Petrus van der Merwe
WP U19 Best Forward: De Wet Marais
WP U19 Best Back: Mnomnbo Zwelendaba
WP U19 Most Promising Player: Ryan van Ster
WP U21 Best Forward: Schalk Erasmus
DHL WP U21 Best Back: David Kriel
WP U21 Most Promising Player: Gift Dlamini
*Not only were WP Rugby’s professional players awarded individual trophies based on their performances throughout the 2019 season, but the Western Province Rugby Football Union also recognised all club, junior, female and referees’ performances within the union this past year.
2019 WPRFU Club awards:
Super League A: Durbanville-Bellville
Super League B: Kuilsriver
Super League C: Langa
City League (First round): Violets
Northern League (First round): Blakes
Southern League (First round): Northerns
Paarl League Winner: Lower Paarl
Simonsberg League Winner: Gordon Leopards
Sunday League: Khaya Rose
Women’s League: Busy Bees Women
Paarl region (Knock-out): Lower Paarl
Super League A Under-20: Stellenbosch
Super League B Under-20: Bellville
Super League C Under-20: Hands and Hearts