Burger claims award

by Thomas Rooney | South African back-row Schalk Burger has been named South African player of the year for the second time at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg.

Burger was in exceptional form during the SupeRugby season for the Stormers as he helped his side to the play-offs while his recovery from injury in time for the World Cup coincided with the Springboks best form of the year.

Bismarck du Plessis, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie and Victor Matfield were all up for the award decided by South African accredited media, but it was Burger who emerged on top at the prestigious award ceremony.

Elsewhere in the ceremony, Pat Lambie scooped the young player of the year award, while the Lions had an enjoyable evening, picking up awards for team of the year as well as coach of the year and Currie Cup Premier Division player of the year for John Mitchell and Josh Strauss. Under-20 captain Arno Botha was named the SA Under-20 Player of the year.

While the men in a South Africa World Cup Shirt were unable to defend the world crown they won in 2007 and could only claim one win in the Tri Nations, Oregan Hoskins, President of SARU insists that 2011 has been a year to remember for the right reasons.

“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,” said Hoskins.”

“That’s because our Springbok team has been embraced by all South Africans in a way I have never experienced before. 2011 was the year that fans from all backgrounds stood behind the Boks from the moment the squad was announced. In the past, that kind of affection was dependent on the delivery of a trophy.”