Malcolm Marx named SA’s best

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx has been named SA Rugby Player of the Year for 2017.

The 23-year-old succeeds Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was named Player of the Year for 2016.

Marx completed a hat-trick of awards by being named SA Young Player of the Year and Super Rugby Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year since Ashwin Willemse in 2003.

‘This is a magnificent achievement for Malcolm and on behalf of the entire South African rugby fraternity, I would like to congratulate him on a superb season,’ SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said.

‘Malcolm was a rock for both the Springboks and the Lions and at only 23, I’m sure he will still go on to accomplish big things in our game.’

The Blitzboks’ fine 2016-17 season was also recognised as they collected the Team of the Year award, while Neil Powell was named Coach of the Year. Speedster Rosko Specman received the Sevens Player of the Year award.

‘Neil and his band of Blitzbok brothers made us all very proud last year, and these awards are very well deserved,’ said Alexander.

Juarno Augustus scooped the Junior Springbok Player of the Year award after he was named U20 World Rugby Player of the Year for 2017.

The winners in the various competitions were Warrick Gelant (Currie Cup Player of the Year), Jaun Kotze (Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year) and Sanele Nohamba (Craven Week Player of the Tournament).

2017 SA Rugby Award winners:

Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx
Nominees: Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Jan Serfontein
Young Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx
Nominees: Curwin Bosch, Jean-Luc du Preez, Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse
Team of the Year: Springbok Sevens
Nominees: Lions, Western Province
Coach of the Year: Neil Powell
Nominees: Johan Ackermann, John Dobson
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: Rosko Specman
Nominees: Chris Dry, Werner Kok
Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Juarno Augustus
Nominees: Curwin Bosch, Damian Willemse
Super Rugby Player of the Tournament: Malcolm Marx (Lions)
Nominees: Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert (both Lions)
Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Warrick Gelant (Blue Bulls)
Nominees: Nizaam Carr, Robert du Preez (both Western Province)
Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Jaun Kotze (Griffons)
Nominees: Tertius Maarman (Griffons), Jeandré Rudolph (Leopards)
Provincial Rugby Challenge Player of the Year: Craig Barry (Western Province)
Nominees: Enver Brandt (Griquas), Shaun Reynolds (Golden Lions XV)