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Pretoria - The Blue Bulls Rugby Union’s 75th anniversary gala dinner was an evening that may best be described as ‘spectacular’.
Current and past players, management, dignitaries from government and SARU, sponsors and other passionate rugby fans attended the event, hosted at Vodaworld in Midrand on Wednesday.
Those in attendance were addressed by various high-ranking officials. These included: Louis Nel (president of the BBRU), Barend van Graan (CEO of the Blue Bulls Company) and Mark Alexander (deputy president of SARU).
Emotions ran high on two separate occasions during the evening.
Joost van der Westhuizen was greeted with a standing ovation as he took to the stage after a rather moving and inspirational video of his time as a player and the work that he currently does with the J9 foundation was played on the big screens.
‘Oom’ Wynie Strydom also addressed the audience with an official farewell speech, after a tribute video. Many years of pride and passion were obvious for all to see, as he shared moments from his career and acknowledged those that supported him.
Another highlight of the evening was the two panel discussions involving past and current players, coaches and senior management. Guests were also treated by a talented lineup of local music artists including, Bok van Blerk, Arno Jordaan and Lloyd Cele among others. Adding to the entertainment was funny man Ndumiso Lindi, who had the crowd laughing hysterically.
This spectacular event was also the perfect backdrop for the team awards ceremony.
Blue Bulls player of the year: Morné Steyn
Blue Bulls coach of the year: Frans Ludeke
Super Rugby
Forward of the year: Flip van der Merwe
Back of the year: JJ Engelbrecht
Players’ player of the year: Morné Steyn
Most promising player of the year: Jan Serfontein
Coach’s recognition award: Andries Kabinde
Currie Cup
Forward of the year: Jono Ross
Back of the year: Francois Venter
Players’ player of the year: Wiaan Liebenberg
Most promising player of the year: Jacques du Plessis
Coach’s recognition award: Andries Kabinde
Vodacom Cup
Forward of the year: Wiaan Liebenberg
Back of the year: Travis Ismaiel
Players’ player of the year: Jean Cook
Most promising player of the year: Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Coach’s recognition award: Divan Strydom
Blue Bulls - U21
Forward of the year: Jaco Visagie
Back of the year: Jade Stigling
Players’ player of the year: Hencus van Wyk
Most promising player of the year: Jannes Kirsten
Coach’s recognition award: Shaun du Toit
Blue Bulls - U19
Forward of the year: Pierre Schoeman
Back of the year: Kobus Marais
Players’ player of the year: Jesse Kriel
Most promising player of the year: Corniel Els
Coach’s recognition award: Elias Bennet
Blue Bulls amateur player of the year: Nico Luus
Blue Bulls amateur women’s player of the year: Yolanda Meiring
Limpopo Blue Bulls amateur player of the year: Jaco Louw
Limpopo Blue Bulls amateur women’s player of the year: Mpho Moloto
Current and past players, management, dignitaries from government and SARU, sponsors and other passionate rugby fans attended the event, hosted at Vodaworld in Midrand on Wednesday.
Those in attendance were addressed by various high-ranking officials. These included: Louis Nel (president of the BBRU), Barend van Graan (CEO of the Blue Bulls Company) and Mark Alexander (deputy president of SARU).
Emotions ran high on two separate occasions during the evening.
Joost van der Westhuizen was greeted with a standing ovation as he took to the stage after a rather moving and inspirational video of his time as a player and the work that he currently does with the J9 foundation was played on the big screens.
‘Oom’ Wynie Strydom also addressed the audience with an official farewell speech, after a tribute video. Many years of pride and passion were obvious for all to see, as he shared moments from his career and acknowledged those that supported him.
Another highlight of the evening was the two panel discussions involving past and current players, coaches and senior management. Guests were also treated by a talented lineup of local music artists including, Bok van Blerk, Arno Jordaan and Lloyd Cele among others. Adding to the entertainment was funny man Ndumiso Lindi, who had the crowd laughing hysterically.
This spectacular event was also the perfect backdrop for the team awards ceremony.
Blue Bulls player of the year: Morné Steyn
Blue Bulls coach of the year: Frans Ludeke
Super Rugby
Forward of the year: Flip van der Merwe
Back of the year: JJ Engelbrecht
Players’ player of the year: Morné Steyn
Most promising player of the year: Jan Serfontein
Coach’s recognition award: Andries Kabinde
Currie Cup
Forward of the year: Jono Ross
Back of the year: Francois Venter
Players’ player of the year: Wiaan Liebenberg
Most promising player of the year: Jacques du Plessis
Coach’s recognition award: Andries Kabinde
Vodacom Cup
Forward of the year: Wiaan Liebenberg
Back of the year: Travis Ismaiel
Players’ player of the year: Jean Cook
Most promising player of the year: Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Coach’s recognition award: Divan Strydom
Blue Bulls - U21
Forward of the year: Jaco Visagie
Back of the year: Jade Stigling
Players’ player of the year: Hencus van Wyk
Most promising player of the year: Jannes Kirsten
Coach’s recognition award: Shaun du Toit
Blue Bulls - U19
Forward of the year: Pierre Schoeman
Back of the year: Kobus Marais
Players’ player of the year: Jesse Kriel
Most promising player of the year: Corniel Els
Coach’s recognition award: Elias Bennet
Blue Bulls amateur player of the year: Nico Luus
Blue Bulls amateur women’s player of the year: Yolanda Meiring
Limpopo Blue Bulls amateur player of the year: Jaco Louw
Limpopo Blue Bulls amateur women’s player of the year: Mpho Moloto
