Malcolm Marx And Nadine Roos lead the way at the 2025 SA Rugby Awards

by nikita.m

South African rugby’s biggest names gathered to celebrate a remarkable season as Malcolm Marx and Nadine Roos walked away with the top honours at the 2025 SA Rugby Awards.

The awards evening recognised a year many insiders believe could go down as one of the greatest in the sport’s history in South Africa. From Springbok dominance on the international stage to the continued rise of women’s rugby and youth development pathways, the ceremony reflected a game that continues to thrive across all levels.

For Marx, the recognition marked another major milestone in an already decorated career, while Roos once again confirmed her status as one of the brightest stars in women’s rugby.

Read more: Springboks’ road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup revealed

Marx Crowned SA Rugby Men’s Player Of The Year

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was named SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, capping off an exceptional campaign in green and gold.

Marx had stiff competition for the accolade, beating finalists Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ox Nche and Jasper Wiese to secure the honour. It is the second time he has claimed the prestigious award after previously winning it in 2017.

His performances throughout the 2025 season helped anchor a dominant Springbok side that continued to set the standard in international rugby.

Nadine Roos Continues Her Dominance In Women’s Rugby

While Marx claimed the men’s honour, Nadine Roos continued her remarkable run in the women’s game.

Roos was named SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, recognising her outstanding contribution during a year in which the Springbok Women reached the Rugby World Cup playoffs for the first time.

She finished ahead of finalists Byrhandré Dolf, Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Babalwa Latsha.

Roos also claimed a second award on the night when she was named Springbok Women’s Sevens Player of the Year, highlighting her impact across both formats of the game.

The awards ceremony also introduced a new accolade celebrating emerging female talent, with Byrhandré Dolf becoming the first recipient of the SA Rugby Young Women’s Player of the Year award.

Springboks Honoured For Historic Season

The Springboks’ success on the field during 2025 was also recognised.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus was named Coach of the Year, while the Springboks themselves were crowned Team of the Year following a campaign that included defending the Rugby Championship title and winning 11 of their 13 Tests.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander praised the achievements across all national teams, describing 2025 as a landmark year for the sport.

Beyond the senior team’s success, the Junior Springboks captured the World Rugby Under-20 Championship for the first time since 2012, while the Blitzboks claimed the HSBC SVNS World Championship, further underlining the strength of the country’s rugby pipeline.

Read more: Springboks and All Blacks take rugby’s fiercest rivalry to Baltimore

Special Recognition For Rugby Leaders

Several figures who have shaped South African rugby were also recognised during the evening.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi received the Spirit of ’95 Award, honouring his leadership and his role in promoting unity and inclusivity through the sport.

Erasmus was also presented with the Springbok Legacy Award, acknowledging his influence in strengthening the Springbok brand and guiding the national team through a successful era.

Former Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi was honoured for reaching 50 Test caps, becoming the first player in the women’s national team to achieve the milestone before her retirement in 2025.

Behind the scenes, several members of the Springbok management team were also recognised for their long service, including team manager Charles Wessels, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, and technical analyst Lindsay Weyer.

The evening’s prestigious President’s Award went to Gavin Varejes, recognised for more than three decades of support for rugby in South Africa, including major contributions to grassroots development and rural rugby programmes through the South African Rugby Legends Association.

SA Rugby Awards 2025 Winners

SA Rugby Men’s Player Of The Year

Winner: Malcolm Marx
Finalists: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ox Nche, Jasper Wiese

SA Rugby Women’s Player Of The Year

Winner: Nadine Roos
Finalists: Byrhandré Dolf, Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Babalwa Latsha

SA Rugby Young Men’s Player Of The Year

Winner: Ethan Hooker
Finalists: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Canan Moodie, Haashim Pead, Zachary Porthen

SA Rugby Young Women’s Player Of The Year

Winner: Byrhandré Dolf
Finalists: Patience Mokone, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Anushka Groenewald

Springbok Men’s Sevens Player Of The Year

Winner: Shilton van Wyk
Finalists: Selvyn Davids, Impi Visser

Springbok Women’s Sevens Player Of The Year

Winner: Nadine Roos

Junior Springbok Player Of The Year

Winner: Haashim Pead
Finalists: Cheswill Jooste, Riley Norton

Team Of The Year

Winner: Springboks
Finalists: Junior Springboks, Springbok Sevens

Coach Of The Year

Winner: Rassie Erasmus (Springboks)
Finalists: Swys de Bruin (Springbok Women), Kevin Foote (Junior Springboks), Philip Snyman (Springbok Sevens)

FNB Fans’ Moment Of The Year

Winner: Springboks’ Record Victory Over The All Blacks In New Zealand

Currie Cup Premier Division Player Of The Year

Winner: Donavan Don (Boland Kavaliers)
Finalists: Gurshwin Wehr (Griquas), George Whitehead (Griquas)

Currie Cup First Division Player Of The Year

Winner: Andrew Kota (Griffons)
Finalists: Keagan Fortune (Valke), Willem van den Hever (Griffons)

Provincial Women’s Player Of The Year

Winner: Patience Mokone (Bulls Daisies)

SA URC Player Of The Season

Winner: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)

Referee Of The Year

Winner: Aimee Barrett-Theron

President’s Award

Winner: Gavin Varejes

Spirit Of ’95 Award

Winner: Siya Kolisi

Springbok Legacy Award

Winner: Rassie Erasmus

SA Rugby Associate Member Of The Year

Winner: SA Wheelchair Rugby

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Read more on: SA Rugby Mag

Source: SuperSport
Featured Image Source: Springboks on X