Lions pivot scoops top award

NEWS: Lions flyhalf Sanele Nohamba scooped the coveted Player of the Year award for his outstanding performances throughout the 2023/24 season, covering both halfback positions during the campaign.

The Lions honoured their players at the 2023/24 Awards on Wednesday.

Talented tight head prop RF Schoeman claimed the Lions Junior Player of the Year award as well as the Breakthrough Player of the year on the domestic front.

Having reached three finals in the domestic competition and winning one of them (the SA Rugby Under-19 Cup), most would regard it a successful season in many aspects, notably producing five Springboks.

Wednesday night’s awards in Sandton were in recognition of the 2023/24 international season, including this years’ junior and senior domestic competitions.

“I’m honoured to have received this award. The 2023 season was a tough one for us having just missed out on a play-off spot.

“Personally, this recognition means quite a lot to me and motivates me to put in better performances, hopefully resulting in bigger things to come for the team and our fans. We have positioned ourselves to improve in the current season and that is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Nohamba.

Other notable winners on the night were Jarod Cairns, who walked away with the Currie Cup Player of the Year, and fullback Quan Horn who bagged the International Backline Player of the Year as well as the Players’ Player of the Year, an award voted for by his peers.

Newly capped Springboks Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn, and Ruan Venter were recognised for their national achievements. In his absence, former Lions player Jordan Hendrikse was also honoured for obtaining senior national colours while at the franchise.

FULL 2023/24 LIONS AWARDS WINNERS

Lions Under-19
Back of the Year: Jason Hugo
Forward of the Year: Lesedi Masimola
** celebrated in 2024 due to the competition season schedule

Lions Under-21
Back of the Year: Bronson Mills
Forward of the Year: Marno Grobbelaar
Overall Junior Player of the Year: RF Schoeman
** celebrated in 2024 due to the competition season schedule

Senior Awards (Domestic)
Back of the Year: Rynhardt Jonker
Forward of the Year: Renzo du Plessis
Breakthrough Player of the Year: RF Schoeman
Player of the Year (Currie Cup): Jarod Cairns
**2024 Carling Currie Cup Competition

Senior Awards (International)
Back of the Year: Quan Horn
Forward of the Year: Francke Horn
International Breakthrough Player of the Year: JC Pretorius
Players’ Player of the Year: Quan Horn
Player of the Year: Sanele Nohamba
** Vodacom URC and EPCR Challenge Cup

National Recognition Awards
Junior Springbok Women (U20)
Jane Mulder
Sindiswa Ngwenya
Sinalo Honono
Thobile Msizazwe

Junior Springboks
Thabang Mphafi
Sibabalwe Mahashe
Hassiem Pead
Reno Hirst
Thurlon Williams
Likhona Finca
Mziwakhe Nkosi (assistant coach)

Springbok Women
Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen
Xoliswa Khuzwayo
Piwokuhle Nyanda

Zimbabwe Sables
Tapiwa Mafura

Springboks
Edwill van der Merwe
Morne van den Berg
Jordan Hendrikse
Ruan Venter
Quan Horn