Roll up, roll up for our 2013 rugby awards

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 24: Ben Smith (L) congratulates Aaron Cruden (C) of the All Blacks during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 24: Ben Smith (L) congratulates Aaron Cruden (C) of the All Blacks during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Published Dec 11, 2013

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The All Blacks rule the world! Richie McCaw’s men went unbeaten in 2013, and are indisputably the best side on the planet.

But Jean de Villiers’s Springboks are not far behind and will look to take the next step in 2014.

The Stormers broke their fans’ hearts yet again, not to mention Western Province in the Currie Cup final. Check my awards for this year and see if you agree …

1 Thrill-seekers’ Award: Springboks.

The try scored by Jean de Villiers against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium was something out of this world. Francois Louw had won the turnover just inside the Bok half, and after Duane Vermeulen worked the ball back, Morné Steyn received the ball behind his own 10-metre line. Steyn flung a long pass out to De Villiers, who drew the defence and put Bryan Habana away down the touchline. The left wing chipped ahead and Juandré Kruger controlled the ball coolly in the air, where after Ruan Pienaar hit De Villiers with a flat pass for the skipper to fly over. What pure adventure, speed and skill from the Boks, of all teams.

2 Proteas Choke Award: WP Currie Cup team

I don’t know how Western Province got hold of the Proteas’ choking manual, but they followed it to perfection.

To go unbeaten throughout the season to secure a first Newlands final in 12 years, and then freeze up and be smashed by the Sharks must have been one of the hardest pills to swallow for WP coach Allister Coetzee and his players.

What made it worse was the fact that WP had produced a magnificent effort to topple the Sharks in Durban just two weeks earlier.

3 Hot-stepper of the Year: Cheslin Kolbe

It’s left, right, left, right, left … But this is no soldier on a march, but the quick feet of the new Western Province sensation. Kolbe first caught the eye during the Vodacom Cup, where his touchdown against Griquas in the quarter-final at Newlands is sure to be remembered forever by those few thousand people who were at the ground.

His devastating speed and footwork saw him continue to make an impact in the IRB Junior World Championship and the Sevens World Cup, which won him a spot at left wing for WP in the Currie Cup. Kolbe is actually a fullback but was often brought into play during his stint at No 11. He made a few mistakes in the Currie Cup final, but there were enough moments of individual brilliance during the year for him to win the hearts of the Newlands faithful.

4 You Make Your Own Luck Award: All Blacks

The All Blacks won all 14 of their Tests this year, but some critics may point out that they were somewhat fortunate in three of those games – the last one against Ireland in Dublin, France in Paris and perhaps the other French Test in Auckland.

But when there is a minute left in the last game of the year in a freezing Dublin and a team have to score from well inside their own half to win the game, and they do it, then Richie McCaw and his men deserve all the praise they get.

5 Kick Into Touch Gong: Dewald Potgieter

Bulls captain Dewald Potgieter’s decision to ignore a possible three points on three occasions in the Super Rugby semifinal against the Brumbies was the right call.

The mistake he made was eventually giving in to the screaming of coach Frans Ludeke on the walkie-talkie to opt for the posts. That resulted in his worst fears being fulfilled – the dangerous Brumbies were back in the Bulls’ half, and Jake White’s boys eventually scored the winning try.

6 Coach of the Year: Heyneke Meyer

Yes, the Springboks didn’t beat the All Blacks, but there has been refreshing growth in their general play, and for that, the coach must be given the credit.

Despite their being a perception that Meyer implements a conservative gameplan, his teams over the years have always scored lots of tries. Perhaps it’s just that he takes time to give his team that licence, but that was certainly the case in his second year with the Boks.

There were some superb tries scored, and Meyer’s leap of faith to leave out Zane Kirchner and stick with Willie le Roux at fullback was pretty remarkable.

7 You Snooze, You Lose Award: Willie le Roux

Talking about Willie le Roux, not only did he set the Test arena alight with his quick thinking and clever play, but he also made a big statement to the Stormers brainstrust. Le Roux hails from Stellenbosch and attended Paul Roos, but didn’t make the WP Craven Week side.

He then spent four years at Boland, making such an impression with his audacious skill as a flyhalf and fullback that he was nicknamed “Quade Cooper”. But the Stormers set-up never gave him a chance to play Super Rugby, and he linked up with Griquas last year. Now of course he’s a Springbok star …

8 What a Poite Award: Romain Poite

What was billed as the biggest Test since the 2011 World Cup final was spoilt by an arrogant French referee who refused to ask the TMO to assist.

It was the Springboks against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland, and Romain Poite was determined to take centre stage. Bok hooker Bismarck du Plessis nailed Dan Carter with a perfectly timed tackle below the shoulders, but Poite thought it was dangerous and gave him a yellow card. When Du Plessis justifiably received a second yellow for leading with the elbow, it turned into a red. Monsieur Poite, a former policeman, may require police protection if he enters South Africa again.

9 Catch me if you Can Award: Fourie du Preez

With the lack of a true world-class scrumhalf in South Africa, it was understandable that Heyneke Meyer brought back Fourie du Preez from Japan to steer the Bok ship once again.

But serious questions have to be asked about how Du Preez only played in selected Tests this year – a few at home and the two away against Wales and Scotland. Yes, his Japanese club have to release him, but how could Du Preez be allowed to leave the Bok squad ahead of the last game on the European tour against France?

That was the biggest match of the trip. That situation needs to be sorted out and Du Preez has to be available for all the big games if the Boks hope to create some rhythm and beat the All Blacks.

10 Man of Steel Award: Warren Gatland

The New Zealander always has a lot to say, but his call to drop Brian O’Driscoll for the British and Irish Lions series decider against the Wallabies was the biggest moment of his career.

It was a harsh call as O’Driscoll’s replacement, Welshman Jonathan Davies, is not exactly one of the best outside centres in the world. But Gatland laughed last when his Lions destroyed the Wallabies and ended Robbie Deans’s tumultuous reign as Australia’s coach.

2014 Wishlist:

1 Allister Coetzee is brave enough to pick Cheslin Kolbe at wing and Gio Aplon at fullback for the Stormers.

2 Jean de Villiers’s body, and hair, stays in shape.

3 Andries Bekker comes back to the Stormers from Japan.

4 Victor Matfield doesn’t make a comeback.

5 Gio Aplon isn’t just a Bok tourist again. – Cape Times

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