South Africa’s top athletes, administrators and members of the media took to the stage to receive the country’s most prestigious honours in sports at the 17th Edition South African Sport Awards held at the Sun City Superbowl in North West.

 This year’s awards coincided with South Africa’s 30th anniversary celebrating of freedom and democracy. The country’s sporting excellence continue to position South Africa globally as a winning nation across all athletic disciplines and further demonstrated that South Africa continues to be united despite their cultural diversity. The past three decades have seen history-making achievements, from the dismantling of apartheid through negotiations and reconciliation to the establishment of a constitutional democracy founded on the principles of equality, justice, and human rights.

South Africa has also made incredible gains in the various sporting fraternities over the past 30 years, from being excluded from the international gaming scene to ranking in the top tiers across multiple athletic codes.  South African sportsmen and sportswomen have been pivotal in steering national building and flying the country’s flag high and are worthy of all the praise they received at this year’s sports awards.

This year’s most coveted awards, the Sport Star of the Year and the People’s Choice Athlete of the Year Awards were both won by Siya Kolisi.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the 17th edition of the South African Sport Awards. Your efforts are worth celebrating on and off the stage as they continue to improve the sporting discipline and prove to the world why you are considered #IzinjaZeGame.

The SA Sport Awards 17th Edition Winners are:

Sport Administrator of the Year - Mark Alexander

Sportsman of the Year - Eben Etzebeth

Sportsman of the Year with a Disability - Mpumelelo Mhlongo

Sportswomen of the Year - Kisten Neuschafer

Sportswomen of the Year with a Disability - Simone Kruger

Team of the Year - Springboks

Newcomer of the Year - Manie Libbok

Coach of the Year - Jacques Nienaber

National Federation of the Year - South African Rugby Union

Sports Star of the Year - Siya Kolisi Springboks Captain

People’s Choice Athlete of the Year - Siya Kolisi

School team of the year - Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale - Tug of War 560kg Men

Developing school of the year - Hlabi Secondary School Netball U19 team