“I Am Humbled To Be Chosen For This Award” – Canan Moodie

 

Canan Moodie was named the 2022 SA Rugby Young Player of the Year award which was a just reward for the 20-year-old's incredible 2022 season.

Moodie made his senior debut for the Vodacom Bulls in January 2022, and after some great performances for the Vodacom Bulls, he made his test debut for the Springboks against Australia in Sydney. Moodie scored a try in the 38th minute in his test debut.

During a press conference on Wednesday Moody said “It's a massive honour and privilege. It's a very prestigious award, players like Eben Etzebeth have won it before, so it is very special. I am humbled to be chosen for this award. It’s a very special way for me to top off my season.

“I am very grateful for the Bulls taking a chance on me. I wasn’t known from school so I had to work hard in every game and every training, making sure I was ready to take the chance when it came.”

Moodie credited his schoolboy rugby coach at Boland Landbou, Oloff Bergh, for initiating his contract with the Vodacom Bulls.

Moodie also credited his older brother, Keanu Moodie for motivating him during the pandemic.

“My brother always pushed me to be better and get past my limits. He was the one who supported me when times were tough. We always had the dream of being successful, but a lot of sacrifices had to be made.”

Moodie admitted that he has to work harder as a Springbok. "That’s been a focus for me, as a 20-year-old, all this attention and hype is here now, but you have to let the main thing stay the main thing. I still have to work hard to ensure I stay at my best on the field.”

“Last year, teams didn’t analyse me or maybe I wasn’t seen as a threat. But now I have to be a bit more sharp in my game. I’m working hard on the high balls because teams are sharpening up on protecting and ushering, so I need to work on getting to the contest.