After an impressive breakthrough year on the international stage, new Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was named as one of the nominees for young player of the year. He will be up against Cameron Hanekom, Jordan Hendrikse, and Quan Horn, who also played their first Test match in 2024.

For the women's prize, previous winners Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Nadine Roos have been nominated alongside Chumisa Qawe and Vainah Ubisi. All five played a role in helping the Springbok Women qualify for Rugby World Cup 2025 in England.

Bathobele Hlekani, who was in matric at Graeme College in Makhanda just last year, is up against Jurenzo Julius and JF van Heerden for the Junior Springbok Player of the Year Award after impressing for the South African Under-20 team.

After being snubbed by World Rugby for their Coach of the Year award, Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus has finally been given a chance to shine after being nominated alongside Blitzboks' Philip Snyman and the Bulls' Jake White for coach of the year.

The full list of nominees:

SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year

Damian De Allende

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Eben Etzebeth

Cheslin Kolbe

Ox Nche

SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year

Aseza Hele

Libbie Janse van Rensburg

Chumisa Qawe

Nadine Roos

Vainah Ubisi

SA Rugby Young Player of the Year

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Springboks/Stormers)

Cameron Hanekom (Springboks/Bulls)

Jordan Hendrikse (Springboks/Sharks)

Quan Horn (Springboks/Lions)

Henco van Wyk (Lions)

Springbok Sevens Men’s Player of the Year

Selvyn Davids

Zain Davids

Ryan Oosthuizen

Junior Springbok Player of the Year

Bathobele Hlekani

Jurenzo Julius

JF van Heerden

Team of the Year

Sharks

Springboks

Springbok Sevens

Coach of the Year

Rassie Erasmus (Springboks)

Philip Snyman (Springbok Sevens)

Jake White (Bulls)

Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year

Renzo du Plessis (Lions)

Clinton Swart (Pumas)

Vincent Tshituka (Sharks XV)

Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year

Jayden Bantom (Eastern Province)

Ashlon Davids (Boland Kavaliers)

Thurlow Marsh (Boland Kavaliers)

IOL Sport

#bathobele-hlekani

Pieter-Steph du Toit leads SA Rugby Awards nominees after another stellar year for Springboks