Paarl-born speedster Kurt-Lee Arendse has been named among the finalists for the 2022 SA Rugby Player of the Year award, placing him alongside some of the country’s most iconic players, including Lukhanyo Am, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, and Frans Malherbe. The nominations, announced by SA Rugby on Wednesday, span nine prestigious categories and celebrate excellence across all levels of the game. Winners will be revealed in early 2023, alongside recipients of the OUTsurance Referee of the Year and Provincial Women’s Player of the Year awards. 2022 SA Rugby Awards – Nominees
SA Rugby Player of the Year
- Lukhanyo Am
- Kurt-Lee Arendse
- Eben Etzebeth
- Siya Kolisi
- Frans Malherbe
Springbok Women’s Player of the Year
- Lusanda Dumke
- Aseza Hele
- Zintle Mpupha
- Aphiwe Ngwevu
- Nadine Roos
SA Rugby Young Player of the Year
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Junior Springboks/ SA r,:_ / OHL Stormers)
- Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks/ Cell C Sharks)
- Canan Moodie (Springboks/ Vodacom Bulls)
- Evan Roos (Springboks / OHL Stormers)
- Henco van Wyk (SA ‘f>!. I Emirates Lions)
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year
- Selvyn Davids
- Zain Davids
- JC Pretorius
Junior Springbok Player of the Year
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
- Suleiman Hartzenberg
- Ruan Venter
Team of the Year
- Airlink Pumas
- OHL Stormers
- Springboks
Coach of the Year
- John Dobson (OHL Stormers)
- Jacques Nienaber (Springboks)
- Jimmy Stonehouse (Airlink Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year
- Sebastiaan de Klerk (Airlink Pumas)
- Willie Engelbrecht (Airlink Pumas)
- Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas)
Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year
- Jaiden Baron (Boland Kavaliers)
- Jaywinn Juries (Down Touch Griffons)
- Duan Pretorius (Down Touch Griffons)
The spotlight now turns to 2023, when the rugby community will honour those who have made a lasting impact on South African rugby in 2022 – and all eyes will be on whether Arendse can claim the top individual accolade.
