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Springbok flanker Schalk Burger has scooped a top accolade at the annual SA Rugby Awards ceremony.
Johannesburg - Springbok flank Schalk Burger was named South African Rugby Player of the Year for the second time at the South African Rugby Union Awards in Johannesburg on Thursday.
And at the same function, Currie Cup champions Golden Lions picked up a hat-trick of accolades.
Burger, 28, was rewarded for his sterling form this season as he led the Stormers into the Super Rugby playoffs and then returned from a thumb injury to be arguably the outstanding Springbok player at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
The loose forward, who also won the award in 2004, became only the fifth player to receive the accolade more than once, following Naas Botha, who won it four times, as well as Uli Schmidt, Bryan Habana and Fourie du Preez, who all won it twice.
The Lions were given three awards after beating the Sharks in the Currie Cup final last week to lift the domestic title for the first time since 1999.
The Johannesburg side was named Team of the Year, coach John Mitchell was awarded as Coach of the Year and captain Josh Strauss received the accolade for Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year.
Springbok fullback Pat Lambie, 21, was named the Young Player of the Year, while SA Under-20 captain Arno Botha was the U-20 Player of the Year after some sterling performances at the Junior World Championships in Italy.
Cecil Afrika, who was recently named the World Sevens Player of the Year after he topped both the points and try scoring lists during the 2010/11 Sevens World Series, walked away with the prize for Springbok Sevens Player of the Year.
Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union, said the most pleasing aspect this year had been the support the country had thrown behind the Springboks, despite their elimination in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
“Onfield success of our national and provincial teams will always be of paramount importance, but I believe we have enjoyed a special year in the history of our rugby - perhaps a watershed year,” Hoskins said.
“That's because our Springbok team has been embraced by all South Africans in a way I have never experienced before.
“This was the year that fans from all backgrounds stood behind the Boks from the moment the squad was announced.
“In the past, that kind of affection was dependent on the delivery of a trophy.” - Sapa
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matt, wrote
Always a debatable choice. Schalk is old newsand Lambie was never as good as his lucky Currie Cup final in 2010. hat about Jantjies, Taute, Hougaard, etc.
Tim, wrote
Schalk was lucky and played a lot less than other players who deserved more than they were credited for
Blesbok, wrote
Wasn't he indirectly responsible for giving away the winning try by trying to run through the Aussie instead of around him? He's probably the dumbest player to ever play rugby. He still gives away points because he hasn't in all his rugby years learned the rules of the game. As captain he's sunk Stormers and WP on a few occasions by not taking penalty points. But that's SA rugby: all power and no brains.
Sean Murape, wrote
i think they did a good job with the nominations however the question that alot of people are going to start asking is who is going to be the new Springbok Captain... we all know of how many people have already said Schalk Burger... not to say he is not a good leader or player but I dont think its should be him.. the real South African Captain should be at this Present moment the forgotten Juan Smith... I think South Africa should think about this choice very carefully. I one day aspire to be a Springbok.. and as someone who understands the game through and through believe that it should be him.. besides Schalk plays better when he is concentrating on playing rather than being the Captain.
BlouBos, wrote
Burger and Lambie, so sick? Burger only find his best form late in the season and Lambie might be an exiting young player, but nothing more. Francois Hougaard was the best inform player the whole year round and made a big impact in every match he played? SA rugby is becoming a Cricket look alike, it is a circus managed by a bunch of WP Cape clowns. Just about the whole SARU is controlled by the WPCape mafia brigade and therefor you get all these strange nominees and selections of players. It is sick sick sick!
Kevin, wrote
Josh Strauss gets my vote any day of the week. Ace if we had 15 Schalk's we would not qualify for the World Cup
Ace, wrote
If the Springboks had 15 Schalk Burgers we would have thrashed every one. In all my life I have never seen anyone with a work rate like Schalk. In the last monute of the game he is playing with the same intensity as in the 1st minute. Well done Schalk - you richly deserve the award.
boom, wrote
shut up anonymous!! the lions was far better than any other domestic team this year and they proved it in the semi's and finals of the curriecup...
Greg Shark, wrote
@anonymous 7:59am - im inclined to agree with you on the team of the year. sharks won CC last year and werent too bad in Super rugby, did they win team of the year then? just seems to me that comming from the bottom of the basement to CC champions in a very watered down tournamant must have tugged at the heart strings of the media that voted for them but good luck to them anyway. next year will have full strength teams all year and it may be a different story. after all the hype over Bismark during the RWC i'd thought he'd be a shoo in for player of the year....just goes to show that journalists dont even believe in much of the stuff they write.
jeremydaine, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
How is it possible that a team who does well in one competion only, is awarded team of the year.However a team who performed well over two competitions, with a limited squad is ignored.Seems like award given on sentiment, rather long term form.
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