Kriel wins big at Lions awards

Flanker Jaco Kriel was named Lions Player of the Year at an end-of-year function at Carnival City on Tuesday night.

Not only did the Lions captain walk away with the top accolade, but he was also voted as the Players’ Player of the Year and the Supporters’ Player of the Year.

Lock Franco Mostert proved another firm favourite and took honours as the union’s Forward of the Year, while Ross Cronjé was named the Lions’ Backline Player of the Year.

Specifically for Vodacom Super Rugby, No 8 Warren Whiteley walked away with the Forward of the Year accolade, while winger Ruan Combrinck was named Backline Player of the Year.

Newcomer Lourens Erasmus, who produced a number of strong performances during the Currie Cup, was named the Most Promising Player of the Year.

Lions award winners:

Player of the Year: Jaco Kriel
Supporters’ Player of the Year: Jaco Kriel
Players’ Player of the Year: Jaco Kriel
Forward of the Year: Franco Mostert
Backline Player of the Year: Ross Cronjé
Super Rugby Forward of the Year: Warren Whiteley
Super Rugby Backline Player of the Year: Ruan Combrinck
Most Improved Player of the Year: Lourens Erasmus
U21 Player of the Year: Bobby de Wee
U21 Backline Player of the Year: Rohan Janse van Rensburg
U21 Forward of the Year: Ramone Samuels
U19 Player of the Year: James Venter
U19 Backline Player of the Year: Hendrik Mulder
U19 Forward of the Year: Juandre Michau