Phumzile Maqondwana is the NNC Pumas Currie Cup Player of 2021.
This honour was bestowed on the flanker at the Pumas’ year-end gala awards dinner at Mbombela Stadium last Thursday night.
He will drive a Ford Fiestsa 1.0 Trend 7-speed auto, sponsored by Westvaal Numbi Ford, for one year.
Maqondwana also won the forward player of the year award.
“I give all the glory to God for this moment. I do not have enough words for the gratitude I have for these blessings I am receiving tonight,” said Maqondwana, shortly after the Pumas’ director of rugby, Jimmy Stonehouse, announced his name.
He thanked the coaching staff for what they contributed to his success.
“Coach Jimmy, we had a lot of meetings, just me and you, in your office, that people do not know about. I want to thank you for what you have done for me during my time with the Pumas. You always said, ‘Never forget where you come from’. I will never forget what the Pumas have done and are doing for me in my career,” Maqondwana said.
He also honoured his teammates.
“When I came here in 2019, it was a horrible time for me trying to adjust to the new environment. You guys turned that around for me. There is so much gold in this team. The Lord has blessed so much inside you guys. All it takes is for you to come to that truth and live it with all your heart and all your mind.”
Maqondwana was selected for the Carling Champions team which played Kenya at Loftus Versfeld on November 6.
Other Currie Cup awards:
• Players’ player of the year: Pieter Jansen van Vuren
• Backline player of the year: Ettienne Taljaard
• Most points in Carling Currie Cup: Eddie Fouché
• Most improved player: Eduan Swart
• Most loyal player: Morné Joubert
• Most tries: Simon Westraadt (8).
Other awards:
• Best try, sponsored by Airlink: Etienne Taljaard
• Brand ambassadors, sponsored by Sport Unplugged & Ricoh/Motswako: Coach Jimmy Stonehouse and CEO Marius van Rensburg
• Game changers, sponsored by New Nation Construction: Eduan Swart and Eddie Fouché
• Biggest hit, sponsored by New Nation Construction: Willie Engelbrecht
• Supa Rugby Player of the Year, sponsored by André Bester: Pieter Jansen van Vuren
• Prospect Player of the Year, sponsored by André Green: Simon Westraadt.
Mpumalanga Rugby Union’s president, AG Visser, showed his appreciation of CEO Marius van Rensburg during his speech.
“A more committed and honest person will be hard to find. Thank you for what you bring to the party, we appreciate you,” said Visser.
The Pumas’ new title sponsor was announced by Van Rensburg.
As of Thursday night, the team were known as the Bongani Rainmaker Pumas.
“We are hugely humbled by the opportunity to become involved with the Pumas. We are here for you. We love seeing you guys slaying the big guys; please keep on doing that. Good luck for 2022,” said Wim du Preez of Bongani Rainmaker.
The new kit sponsor, Must Be Nice Clothing, was also announced and the various playing, training and casual kits for 2022 showcased by Pumas players.
The Bongani Rainmaker Pumas will kick off the 2022 Carling Currie Cup season against the Vodacom Bulls at Mbombela Stadium on either January 14 or 15.
