The best of the best were honoured at the 2023/24 Lions Rugby Player awards, closing the curtain on a season which saw the Johannesburg franchise lay the foundation for what already has the makings of a fruitful season for Ivan van Rooyen’s men during the opening rounds of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Having reached three finals on the domestic competition front and winning one of them (the SA Rugby u19 Cup), most would regard it a successful season in many aspects, notably producing five Springboks.

Wednesday night’s awards in Sandton were in recognition of the 2023/24 international season, including this years’ junior and senior domestic competitions. Talented tight head prop RF Schoeman claimed the Lions Junior Player of the Year award as well as the Breakthrough Player of the year on the domestic front.

“I’m extremely overwhelmed by these recognitions, said the front-rower. Credit must go to the coaches and my teammates who have played a key role in my development this season.”

“This is not something I really expected, so I am extremely grateful for these accolades,” he concluded.

Current Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season, Sanele Nohamba scooped the coveted Player of the Year award for his outstanding performances throughout the 2023/24 season, covering both halfback positions during the campaign.

“I’m really honoured to have received this award. The 2023 season was a tough one for us having just missed out on a play-off spot. Personally, this recognition means quite a lot to me and motivates me to put in better performances, hopefully resulting in bigger things to come for the team and our fans. We have positioned ourselves to improve in the current season and that is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Nohamba.

Other notable winners on the night were Jarod Cairns, who walked away with the Currie Cup Player of the Year, and fullback Quan Horn who bagged the International Backline Player of the Year as well as the Players’ Player of the Year, an award voted for by his peers.

Newly capped Springboks Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn and Ruan Venter were also recognised for their national achievements. In his absence, former Lions player Jordan Hendrikse was also honoured for obtaining senior national colours while at the franchise.

FULL 2023/24 LIONS AWARDS WINNERS

Lions Under 19

Back of the Year: Jason Hugo

Forward of the Year: Lesedi Masimola

** celebrated in 2024 due to the competition season schedule

Lions Under 21

Back of the Year: Bronson Mills

Forward of the Year: Marno Grobbelaar

Overall Junior Player of the Year: RF Schoeman

** celebrated in 2024 due to the competition season schedule

Senior Awards (Domestic)

Back of the Year: Rynhardt Jonker

Forward of the Year: Renzo du Plessis

Breakthrough Player of the Year: RF Schoeman

Player of the Year (Currie Cup): Jarod Cairns

**2024 Carling Currie Cup Competition

Senior Awards (International)

Back of the Year: Quan Horn

Forward of the Year: Francke Horn

International Breakthrough Player of the Year: JC Pretorious

Players’ Player of the Year: Quan Horn

Player of the Year: Sanele Nohamba

** Vodacom URC and EPCR Challenge Cup

National Recognition Awards

Junior Springbok Women (U20)

Jane Mulder

Sindiswa Ngwenya

Sinalo Honono

Thobile Msizazwe

Junior Springboks

Thabang Mphafi

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Hassiem Pead

Reno Hirst

Thurlon Williams

Likhona Finca

Mziwakhe Nkosi (assistant coach)

Springbok Women

Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen

Xoliswa Khuzwayo

Piwokuhle Nyanda

Zimbabwe Sables

Tapiwa Mafura

Springboks

Edwill van der Merwe

Morne van den Berg

Jordan Hendrikse

Ruan Venter

Quan Horn

Special Award

Jaco Kriel Leadership Award: Asenathi Ntlabakanye