On Tuesday, Etzebeth was the large winner as SA Rugby unveiled its awards for 2022, with the towering lock having been named the Player of the Year.
The 31-year-old Etzebeth, who made his Test debut in 2012 and reached his 100th Test in opposition to Wales in July, earned the award for the primary time after narrowly dropping out to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi in 2021. However, final season the second rower was a relentless star within the inexperienced and gold, together with fellow nominees for the highest award in Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Frans Malherbe.
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Speaking on the SARU headquarters after receiving the award, Etzebeth stated it was an absolute privilege to obtain the Player of the Year ‘trophy’, whereas opening up in regards to the special day of his marriage ceremony that will be happening this weekend.
“There are so many other guys who don’t always get recognised but it’s nice to win this trophy for the first time. I got engaged last year and I’m getting married this Saturday… that’s probably my biggest achievement yet, getting the best trophy I can get,” he stated, as quoted by Sport24.
As reported by The South African web site, Etzebeth proposed to Anlie van Rensburg in March of final yr yr in Hyères, a French city on the Mediterranean coast. Van Rensburg additionally sang the nationwide anthem previous to the match wherein Etzebeth earned his a centesimal Test cap final yr.
“I can’t believe the wedding is this Saturday. It’s also nice to have some off time. We’re going to relax after that,” Etzebeth added. “The final couple of months have been hectic, transferring again from France. Our rugby schedules are very busy and [we] needed to discover a place in Durban and settling down… and in between making an attempt to plan a marriage.
“So, it’s going to be nice to finally marry the woman of my dreams this coming Saturday and then after that just enjoying some quality time alone with her.”
ETZEBETH WAS THE BIG WINNER FROM THE LIST BELOW:
SA Rugby Player of the Year: Eben Etzebeth
Finalists: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe
SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Canan Moodie (Springboks / Vodacom Bulls)
Finalists: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Junior Springboks / South Africa ‘A’ / Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks / Sharks), Evan Roos (Springboks / Stormers), Henco van Wyk (South Africa ‘A’ / Lions)
Springbok Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Roos
Finalists: Lusanda Dumke, Aseza Hele, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: JC Pretorius
Finalists: Selvyn Davids, Zain Davids
Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Finalists: Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruan Venter
Team of the Year: Stormers
Finalists: Airlink Pumas, Springboks
Coach of the Year: John Dobson (Stormers)
Finalists: Jacques Nienaber (Springboks), Jimmy Stonehouse (Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Sebastian de Klerk (Pumas)
Finalists: Willie Engelbrecht (Pumas), Devon Williams (Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Jaywinn Juries (Griffons)
Finalists: Jaiden Baron (Boland Kavaliers), Duan Pretorius (Griffons)
Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Lusanda Dumke (Border Ladies)
OUTsurance Referee of the Year: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season (introduced final yr): Evan Roos (Stormers)
Finalists: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Marcell Coetzee (Bulls), Warrick Gelant (Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Has moved to the Sharks from the Lions)
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