Three future Vodacom Bulls' players were announced as category winners at the annual Ruggas.co.za Awards evening that was held at the Ultimate Rugby Experience museum in Stellenbosch on Saturday evening. With little rugby played in 2020 and 2021, the Ruggas panel consulted wide to ensure that the winners announced were the "best".
Oakdale's brilliant scrumhalf, Neil le Roux was announced as the Rugby Player of the year for 2021. le Roux will join the Vodacom Bulls on a junior contract and South Africans will see him sooner than later in the senior teams of the Vodacom Bulls. The decision making of le Roux, as well as his general game management from 9, was singled out by the panel as his strengths.
Paarl Boishaai's flyhalf Compion von Ludwig, who will also join the Vodacom Bulls was announced as the Backline Player of The Year. In a year of brilliant backline players, Compion's maturity impressed the coaches that worked with him during the past two years. His game management and calmness under pressure will make him a future star in South African rugby.
Corné Lavanga from Paarl Gimnasium, Forward of the Year, was one of the star's of the unbeaten Paarl Gimnasium in 2021. He is a modern prop that dominates come scrum-time, however, his general play especially with the ball in hand makes him an exciting prospect in "modern" rugby. Blokkies as he is known said on Saturday evening that he is extremely excited but also committed to his future at the Vodacom Bulls.
Most Valuable Player of the Year - Damian Markus (Stellenberg)
Team of the Year - Oakdale 1stXV
Coach of the Year - Divan Batt (Stellenberg)
School of the Year - Garsfontein Hoërskool
Award of Excellence - Josua du Plessis