Siya Kolisi is SA Rugby magazine’s Man of the Year for his contribution on and off the field in 2017.
The flanker’s influence extends far beyond the four white lines.
This year, Kolisi found career-best form to cement his place in the Springbok starting lineup. He captained the Stormers and was the Boks’ vice-captain, with many believing he should have replaced the injured Warren Whiteley as skipper.
As a black African who grew up in a township, Kolisi has inspired thousands of youngsters around the country who dream of treading a similar path out of poverty, while appealing to all South Africans, black and white. This was evident by the number of magazine cover appearances he made in 2017, across various genres, and we’re pleased to have him on SA Rugby’s again as our Man of the Year.
Malcolm Marx was an obvious choice for our Player of the Year award after an outstanding season for the Lions and Boks. And our Team of the Year award simply had to go to the Blitzboks, who won the World Rugby Sevens Series for the first time since 2008-09.
All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane is our World Player of the Year and Blitzboks star Rosko Specman our Sevens Player of the Year.
In our new issue, on sale now for just R29.90:
– Malcolm Marx made the biggest impact for the Springboks in 2017
– The Blitzboks want to defend their Sevens Series and Commonwealth Games titles in 2018, and win their first World Cup
– How you voted in our Fans’ Choice Awards online poll?
– All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane was the world’s best in 2017
– Rosko Specman made himself indispensable to the Blitzboks in 2017
– The Springboks’ end-of-year tour was defined by a record loss to Ireland and an ongoing acceptance of mediocrity
– Duane Vermeulen’s late call-up provided the Springbok leadership and defence with a much-needed boost on the tour to Europe
– Despite all the talk about transparency, it was horse-trading, backroom deals and politics that saw France win the right to host the 2023 World Cup
– Ruan Ackermann will consider playing for England if he can’t fulfil his Springbok dream
PLUS: John Smit on Rugby Centurions + This or That with Kwagga Smith + What happened to Danie van Schalkwyk? > John Plumtree column > Saffas in Europe XV > John Allan’s Perfect XV
