Marcell Coetzee led from the front for the Bulls. Picture: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
The night belonged to captain Marcell Coetzee, who was the big winner as the Bulls held their Player Awards ceremony in Tshwane on Wednesday evening.
The 31-year-old Coetzee walked away with the Bulls’ Senior Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Year award after earlier scooping the Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Year accolade.
Also read: Marcell Coetzee ’emotional’ about Leinster win, but Bulls have ‘one more job to do’
Lively hooker Johan Grobbelaar enjoyed a memorable evening as well.
Grobbelaar, who had a superb season, claimed three awards on the night. The 24-year-old won the URC Forward of the Year, the Isuzu Bold Player of the Year, and the Players’ Player of the Year awards.
The Bulls had plenty to reflect on with pride on the night, including reaching the inaugural United Rugby Championship final, getting as far as the semifinals of the Currie Cup and clinching the SA Rugby U20 Cup.
Also read: ‘It hurts’ – Jake White takes a dig at refereeing after URC final defeat
Promising junior hooker Tiaan Lange followed a great campaign, where he played an integral part in the success of the Bulls U20 side, by being named the Afgri Bulls Junior MVP of the Year.
“It was a tough, busy and thoroughly enjoyable 2021/22 season which saw the Bulls involved in prestigious competitions – the United Rugby Championship, Currie Cup and the SA Rugby U20 Cup. It is only proper that we take a bit of time to reflect and celebrate the season that has just passed,” said Blue Bulls Company CEO Edgar Rathbone.
“We would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees, and also every single player, coach, member of staff and stakeholder that contributed to a wonderful 2021/22 season. We look forward to reaching greater heights in the upcoming 2022/23 season.”
Bulls U20 Forward of the Year: Merwe Olivier.
Other nominees – Marco de Wit, Sebastian Lombard
Bulls U20 Back of the Year: Sonwabo Sokoyi
Other nominees – Carlton Banies, Franco Knoetze
Bulls U20 Player of the Year: Cameron Hanekom
Other nominees – Tiaan Lange, Quewin Nortje
Bulls Currie Cup Forward of the Year: Lizo Gqoboka
Other nominees – Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp
Bulls Currie Cup Back of the Year: Marco Jansen van Vuren
Other nominees – Canan Moodie, Stedman Gans
Bulls Currie Cup Player of the Year: Lizo Gqoboka
Other nominees – Janko Swanepoel, Morne Steyn
Bulls URC Forward of the Year: Johan Grobbelaar
Other nominees – Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje
Bulls URC Back of the Year: Madosh Tambwe
Other nominees – Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse
Bulls URC Player of the Year: Ruan Nortje
Other nominees – Elrigh Louw, Johan Grobbelaar
Brightrock LoveChange Blue Bulls Company Employee of the Year: Heilie Brits (Finance)
Puma Most Improved Player of the Year: Canan Moodie
Isuzu The Bold Player Award: Johan Grobbelaar
Richelieu Team Man of the Year: Jacques van Rooyen
Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Year: Marcell Coetzee
Vodacom Players’ Player of the Year: Johan Grobbelaar
Afgri Bulls Junior MVP of the Year: Tiaan Lange
Bulls Senior MVP of the Year: Marcell Coetzee
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