JOHANNESBURG – Nothing will take away the disappointment of missing out on Super Rugby this year, and possibly never playing the game again, but at least Julian Redelinghuys will know everything he did in a Lions jersey in 2016 was appreciated.
The tighthead prop was last night named the union’s Player of the Year after stellar showings in Super Rugby, the Currie Cup and for the Springboks.
He will, however, sadly not be able to build on his consistent performances after a serious neck injury in the latter stages of the Currie Cup forced him out of the game for this year.
But after winning this award, Redelinghuys will be motivated to return to the game he loves so much. “I’m extremely passionate about rugby,” he said in an interview with The Star recently.
“Of course I want to play again. There’s so much I still want to achieve. And I want to be a part of the rebirth of the Springboks … I know they’re going to rise again and be a force and I’d like to be a part of that.”
The 27-year-old is slowly building up the strength in his neck and left arm after having surgery to fuse his vertebrae at C5 and 6 level.
“I’m still quite stiff, but at least the feeling is back in my arm and I’m able to lift 5kg above my head. It’s all going to depend on what the doctors say,” said Redelinghuys.
He beat several equally deserving team-mates, such as Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Jaco Kriel, Warren Whiteley, Elton Jantjies and Rohan Janse van Rensburg to the union’s top award.
The Players’ Player of the Year award went to hooker Marx who, after the retirement of Adriaan Strauss as Springbok captain, is in line to become a national team regular this season, while the Supporters’ Player of the Year award went to promising centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Super Rugby stalwarts, Mostert, Whiteley and Jantjies were all honoured for their contributions in helping the team reach the final for the first time, while Currie Cup stars Anthony Volmink, Ruan Ackermann and Jacques Nel picked up awards for their performances in the domestic competition.
The Lions kick off their 2017 Super Rugby challenge against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next Saturday.
Award winners:
Currie Cup - Forward: Ruan Ackermann; Backline: Anthony Volmink; Player of the Year: Jacques Nel
Super Rugby - Forward: Franco Mostert; Backline: Elton Jantjies; Player of the Year: Warren Whiteley
Golden Lions Awards - Supporters’ Player of the Year: Rohan Janse van Rensburg; Players’ Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx; Player of the Year: Julian Redelinghuys