Springs’ Lood de Jager claims rugby player of the year title
Springsite, Springbok lock and ex-Hoërskool Hugenote student Lood de Jager (23) has been named the SA Rugby Player of the Year for last season on Thursday.
He is the youngest winner of the most prestigious award in South African rugby since Bryan Habana received the award in 2005 at the age of 22.
This award acknowledges Lood‘s stellar performance in the green and gold jersey during the international season last year.
Other nominees in this category were Schalk Burger, Damian de Allende, Eben Etzebeth and Jaco Kriel.
Lood thanked his family, friends, coaches and teammates for their support and said he hoped to make them proud again this year.
“Personally, I had an unbelievable year with the Springboks, although it was a bit up and down for the team,” he said.
“A lot of younger players gained invaluable experience and this bodes well for the future of the South African game. We just have to go out and use it in 2016.”
Lood said: “I’m excited for a big season ahead, with a lot of challenges, and I’m sure we can all make a difference this year.”
SA Rugby President Oregan Hoskins said, “I would like to congratulate Lood and all the other winners on their achievements in 2015.”
“We may not have achieved the results we wanted, but when one looks back at the achievements of these and other individuals, their conduct on the field and off it, and the way in which they acted as ambassadors for their teams and their country, you cannot help but feel proud.
“It’s encouraging to see the relative youth of so many of the winners and nominees, something that certainly bodes well for the future of the Springboks and South African rugby as a whole.
“I certainly can’t wait to see what 2016 will bring,” Oregan said.
Other winners and finalists in all the categories for 2015 were:
- SARU Rugby Player of the Year: Lood de Jager
Nominees: Schalk Burger, Damian de Allende, Eben Etzebeth and Jaco Kriel.
- Absa Young Player of the Year: Jesse Kriel
Nominees: Lood de Jager, Warrick Gelant, Handré Pollard and Seabelo Senatla.
- Players’ Player of the Year presented by MyPlayers: Jaco Kriel
- SA Sevens Player of the Year: Werner Kok
Nominees: Seabelo Senatla and Kwagga Smith.
- SA U-20 Player of the Year: Warrick Gelant
Nominees: Jason Jenkins and Hanro Liebenberg.
- Absa Team of the Year: Xerox Golden Lions (Currie Cup)
Nominees: Springboks, Springbok Sevens, DHL Stormers (Vodacom Super Rugby), DHL Western Province (Currie Cup).
- Absa Coach of the Year: Johann Ackermann
Nominees: Robert du Preez and Neil Powell.
- Vodacom Super Rugby Player of Year: Damian de Allende
Nominees: Jaco Kriel and Warren Whiteley.
- Vodacom Cup Player of the Year: Marnus Schoeman
Nominees: Wiaan Liebenberg and JC Roos.
- Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Jaco Kriel
Nominees: Warrick Gelant and Warren Whiteley.
- Absa Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Rhyno Smith
Nominees: Leighton Eksteen and Juan Language.
- Supersport Try of the Year: Johan Deysel
Nominees: Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Dillon Smit and Rhyno Smith.
Source: www.sarugby.co.za
