Springbok flanker Schalk Burger named South African Player of the Year - Rugby News
The 28-year-old Schalk Burger has been named South African Rugby Player of the Year in Johannesburg, on November 3. The flanker has won the title fro the second time in his life for his tremendous output in Super Rugby 15 season 2011. He previously claimed
the accolade back in 2004 and become the fifth player to win the same title twice.
Golden Lions were given the best domestic team of the year award in the same ceremony along with two other winners.
According to the details, a special ceremony was held to announce the various titles for individuals and team on Thursday in Johannesburg. Among the other notable achievements of the night, Cecil Afrika, was declared best Springbok Sevens Player of the Year.
The same player was also given the prestigious prize of World Sevens Player of the Year, in the recent past.
Springboks’ 21-year-old fullback, Pat Lambie, grabbed the title of Young Player of the Year for his evergreen performance in Tri-Nations and Rugby World Cup 2011. In other competition of same category, Arno Botha the skipper South African U-20 side was hailed
with the prize of U-20 Player of the Year. The young man led his side from the front in the Junior World Championship.
Schalk Burger, who joined the party of achieving the best Player of the Year award twice or more along with Naas Botha, Fourie du Preez, Uli Schmidt, and Bryan Habana, was delighted on this occasion.
South African Rugby Union president, Oregan Hoskins, applauded the players and teams for their efforts which enabled them to lift the accolades. Talking to the media after the ceremony, he said that, “On-field success of our national and provincial teams
will always be of paramount importance, but I believe we have enjoyed a special year in the history of our rugby — perhaps a watershed year.”
The president further said that, “That's because our Springbok team has been embraced by all South Africans in a way I have never experienced before. This was the year that fans from all backgrounds stood behind the Boks from the
moment the squad was announced.”
Burger was preferred over his team-mates Victor Matfield and Bismarck du Plessis for this prize.
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