The Boks have won the prestigious Laureus World Team of the Year sports award.
The South African Rugby Team brilliantly won their second Rugby World Cup, in France, beating England 15-6 in the final, after going through the tournament unbeaten. Coach Jake White has inspired a major turnaround in the team’s success since taking charge in 2004. Percy Montgomery was the highest points scorer in the competition, but Bryan Habana was acknowledged as the player of the tournament as top try scorer. John Smit played a captain’s role and Francois Steyn was hailed as the most prodigious young talent in world rugby. Os du Randt, who played in the 1995 World Cup winning side, retired after the tournament as the most capped forward in South African rugby history.
2008 Laureus Award Winners:
World Sportsman of the Year: Roger Federer
World Sportswoman of the Year: Justine Henin
World Team of the Year: South African rugby team
World Breakthrough of the Year: Lewis Hamilton
World Comeback of the Year: Paula Radcliffe
World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Esther Vergeer
World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Shaun White
“Coach Jake White has inspired a major turnaround in the team’s success since taking charge in 2004.” and where is he now SARU?