The Springboks – who managed the impressive feat of winning back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles when they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in France last year – and national captain Siya Kolisi have been rewarded for their achievements yet again by being nominated for top Laureus awards.
The Springboks, who also won the Laureus World Team of the Year awards following their RWC triumphs in 2007 and 2019, have been nominated for the same award yet again. They will be up against the Manchester City Men’s Football team, the Spain Women’s Football team, the European Ryder Cup Golf team, the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula-1 team, and Germany’s Men’s Basketball team.
Kolisi, who defied the odds by recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered in April to lead the Boks to their second RWC title in a row in October, has been nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.
The Laureus Awards, which honours, recognises and celebrates the world’s greatest athletes, the inspirational power of sport and its ability to change lives, will be hosted in Madrid in April.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander was proud of the recognition the Springboks and Kolisi received for their brave efforts to become the first country to win the Rugby World Cup four times and wished them luck for their respective awards.
“The Springboks deserve every ounce of recognition they receive for their massive accomplishment in France last year, and we are delighted to see them in line for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award,” said Mr Alexander.
“Their heroics on and off the field were remarkable, especially considering their tough road to the World Cup final.
“But the victory in France was more than just an 80-minute rugby match – it was a triumph for South Africa both in nation building and social cohesion, and we hope that the effects of the Boks’ success will continue to radiate through the sport and transfer to other sporting codes for years to come.”
Mr Alexander also praised Kolisi, who staged a dramatic recovery from a serious knee injury which many thought placed his Rugby World Cup hopes in doubt, thanks to his hard work and intense rehabilitation to lead the team by example on the field.
“Siya’s hard work and determination to recover for the World Cup, and the fact that he managed to achieve this feat beyond all doubts was special,” said Mr Alexander.
“It takes a warrior to do something so remarkable, and that journey made it even more extraordinary to see him lift the cup for the second time in a row.
“We are extremely proud of the Springboks and Siya, and we wish them luck for the awards ceremony.”
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
Photo by EPA/YOAN VALAT
