Share

Duane dedicates awards to parents

Cape Town - Springbok and Stormers No 8 Duane Vermeulen has dedicated his South African rugby awards to his parents.

GALLERY: SA Rugby Player of the Year Awards

Vermeulen on Sunday walked off with three awards at the annual South African Rugby Union Player of the Year Awards.

He was named SARU Rugby Player of the Year after an extensive voting process, which included the country’s rugby media and the public through SARU’s online and social media platforms.

The 28-year-old Vermeulen, who will captain the Stormers this year, also won the coveted SARPA Players’ Player of the Year and Super Rugby Player of the Year Awards for 2014.

An emotional Vermeulen afterwards dedicated his awards to his parents. His dad passed away when he was eight years old.

"It was an unbelievable year," he told Netwerk24. "The biggest achievement for me was just to remain injury free throughout the season. When I wake up tomorrow morning and see the trophies in my home it will all probably sink in."

The winners and finalists (where applicable) in all the categories for 2014 are:

SARU Rugby Player of the Year:
Duane Vermeulen

Finalists:
Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, Willie le Roux, Handré Pollard

Young Player of the Year:
Handré Pollard

Finalists:
Nizaam Carr, Cheslin Kolbe, Seabelo Senatla, Jan Serfontein

SARPA Players’ Player of the Year:
Duane Vermeulen (Stormers, Springboks)

Springbok Sevens Player of the Year:
Seabelo Senatla

Finalists:
Branco du Preez, Frankie Horne

SA Under-20 Player of the Year:
Handré Pollard

Finalists:
Thomas du Toit, Jesse Kriel

Team of the Year:
Western Province (Currie Cup)

Finalists:
Springboks, Junior Springboks, Springbok Sevens, Golden Lions (Currie Cup)

Coach of the Year:
Johann Ackermann (Golden Lions)

Finalists:
Allister Coetzee (Stormers & Western Province), Neil Powell (Springbok Sevens)

Super Rugby Player of Year:
Duane Vermeulen (Stormers)

Finalists:
Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), Warren Whiteley (Lions)

Vodacom Cup Player of the Year:
Renaldo Bothma (Pumas)

Finalists:
Jonathan Francke (Griquas), Lizo Gqoboka (EP Kings)

Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year:
Nizaam Carr (Western Province)

Finalists:
Juan de Jongh (Western Province), Jaco Kriel (Golden Lions)

Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year:
Boela Abrahams (Griffons)

Finalists:
Sylvian Mahuza (Leopards), Dillon Smit (Leopards)

Try of the Year:
Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje (Toyota Cheetahs v Crusaders, Vodacom Super Rugby)

Finalists:
Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs v Blues, Super Rugby), Nathan Nel (UCT v Pukke, Varsity Cup Final), Seabelo Senatla (Western Province v Blue Bulls, Currie Cup), Juan de Jongh (Western Province v Blue Bulls, Currie Cup) and Corné Fourie (Lions v Cheetahs, Super Rugby)

Referee Award:
Craig Joubert

Women’s Achiever of the Year:
Fundiswa Plaatjie

Cell C Community Cup Player of the Tournament:
Michael Nienaber (Rustenburg Impala)

Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Tournament:
Curwin Bosch (Eastern Province)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE