And then there were FIVE!
Etzebeth, Vermeulen and De Villiers will go up against fellow Springboks Bismarck du Plessis and Willie le Roux for SA Rugby’s biggest rugby award, after strong performances at all levels throughout 2013.
Young Etzebeth continues to establish himself as one of the best second rows in world rugby, as proven by his IRB World Player of the Year nomination. Vermeulen is fast becoming an automatic pick for the Boks at No.8 and De Villiers led his country to ten Test wins (from 12 starts) in 2013.
All three players were, again, standouts for the DHL Stormers in 2013 and they also all started in the 2013 Absa Currie Cup Final for DHL Western Province.
*** CLICK HERE NOW to vote for Eben, Duane or Jean!***
Media, coaches and players will also have a major say in determining the outstanding players of the season in a range of categories and competitions. Public polling for the top Award, South Africa’s Rugby Player of the Year, opened on Tuesday, November 19 with the awards due to be announced at a gala event on February 12, 2014 in Johannesburg. A lucky participating fan will be drawn randomly and invited to the awards with a partner.
Jurie Roux, SARU CEO said: “It is again very pleasing that we are able to give our rugby fans a voice in the game, and the SARU Player of the Year Awards is an ideal platform to do so.
“Last year proved that supporters have strong opinions on who should win and the feedback was great, hence the decision to make the public part of the polling process again.”
Roux said that the fans’ vote would count for 50 percent of the final tally alongside the vote of the rugby media, who had exclusively decided on the winners in recent years. Fans and media will decide on the marquee awards of Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
“The Awards are a highlight on the South African rugby calendar,” added Roux, “and involving the fans and coaches more directly will no doubt add to the prestige of the event.”
THE 2013 AWARD CATEGORIES AND VOTING PANELS:
SA Rugby Player of the Year – Media (50%); Public (50%)
All South Africa-qualified players playing in SARU competitions and teams (players who played locally during 2013 before joining overseas clubs are also eligible)
Absa Young Player of the Year (U23) – Media (50%); Public (50%)
Any South Africa-qualified player playing in SARU competitions and teams under the age of 23 on January 1.
Absa Team of the Year – Media (50%); Coaches (50%)
Any South African team playing in our competitions or representing South Africa on the international stage.
Absa Coach of the Year – Coaches (100% – All coaches in provincial SARU competitions)
Any coach of a South African team playing locally or abroad.
Vodacom Super Rugby Player of the Year – Coaches (100% – The five franchise coaches)
Any South African player in Vodacom Super Rugby.
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year – Coaches (100% – The 16 participating coaches)
Any South African player in Vodacom Cup.
Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year – Coaches (100% – The six participating coaches)
Any South African player in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division.
Absa Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year – Coaches (100% – The eight participating coaches)
Any South African player in Absa Currie Cup First Division.
SARPA Players’ Player of the Year – Players (100%)
Any South African player.
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year – Media (50%); Coach (50%)
Any player that has represented the Springbok Sevens team on the HSBC Sevens World Series.
SuperSport Try of the Year – SuperSport Rugby Panel (100%)
Any try scored by a South African playing for a local team.
SA U20 Player of the Year – Media (50%); Coach (50%)
Any player that represented the SA U20 team at the 2013 JWC.
Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Year – Development Department; SARU National Selectors; SA Schools Selectors
Any player at the Coca-Cola U18 Craven Week.
Marriott Referee Award – Referees (50%); Coaches (50%)
Any South African referee.
Women’s Player of the Year – Women’s Rugby Department
Any player that has represented the SA Women’s team.
Cell C Community Cup Player of the Tournament – Development Department; Tournament Media; Tournament management; National selectors
Any player in the Cell C Community Cup.
