Lions strongman Julian Redelinghuys pipped all his new Springbok teammates when he was named Player of the Year for 2016 at the Golden Lions Rugby Union’s awards evening at Carnival City Big Top Arena on Wednesday, February 15.
Redelinghuys’ career was abruptly halted when he injured his neck in the Currie Cup final in Bloemfontein last year, but this award is a fitting accolade for a brilliant season in which he gained a further six test caps.
Lions captain Warren Whiteley, who earned his Springbok colours, was named Vodacom Super Rugby Player of the Year, while newcomer Jacques Nel walked away with the Currie Cup Player of the Year accolade.
“This is a great honour for me to receive this award,” said Whiteley. “I know that our team will have to perform better this year, as by this time the other teams in the Super Rugby competition clearly know how we play.
“We will be looking forward to a good season, and as a team we will once again work hard and focus on what we are doing well.”
The Vodacom Super Rugby season will start at the end of February.
New Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx from Alberton was named the Players’ Player of the Year, and new Bok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg was voted the Supporters Player of the Year.
Whiteley pipped Elton Jantjies, who was elected Backline Player of the Year in Vodacom Super Rugby, while Franco Mostert was the Forward of the Year in the same competition.
Nel’s understudies were winger Anthony Volminck, the Backline Player of the Currie Cup, while Ruan Ackermann was elected the Currie Cup Forward of the Year.
Xerox Golden Lions winners:
Xerox Golden Lions Forward Player of the Year – Ruan Ackermann
Xerox Golden Lions Backline Player of the Year – Anthony Volmink
Xerox Golden Lions Player of the Year – Jacques Nel
Emirates Lions Player of the Year awards:
Emirates Lions Super Rugby Forward Player of the Year – Franco Mostert
Emirates Lions Super Rugby Backline Player of the Year – Elton Jantjies
Emirates Lions Super Rugby Player of the Year – Warren Whiteley
Lions Rugby Company Player of the Year awards
Supporters Player of the Year – Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Players Player of the Year – Malcolm Marx
Player of the Year – Julian Redelinghuys
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