WATCH: Alberton Rugby Club honours its players and staff
Among the top winners were the club’s sponsors who include Gautruss, Raceview Motors, Fox Security, Meat World (Verwoerdpark), Johnson Workwear, Fines4u, and The Club House Restaurant.
The Alberton Rugby Club recently hosted an awards evening, where it recognised players and staff for their contributions to the club’s sustainability.
The night kicked off with opening remarks from club president Manie Reyneke, who thanked existing and new sponsors, who ensured that the club achieved so much as a club, and operating and maintaining the facilities without council assistance.
“Our club is extremely lucky to have a wide pool of local businesses willing to contribute to our success,” said Reyneke.
He also commented on the club’s continued growth: “Our club is one of the largest rugby clubs in South Africa, with a junior club membership of 800 children between six and 18, coaches and volunteers, helping and growing the game at the grassroots level. We cannot wait to see you all next year. Bring a friend, bring a smile, and let’s have a fantastic 2026 season,” added Reyneke.
@albertonrecord The Alberton Rugby Club recently hosted a successful awards ceremony. The club honoured its players, staff members, and sponsors. Details on albertonrecord.co.za #Alberton #ekurhuleni ♬ original sound – Alberton Record
List of all winners in different categories:
President League
• Back line player of the year – Nathan O’Reilly.
• Forward player of the year – Thabo Manjathi.
• League winners – U19 team.
• First team – Dean Subke and Trevor Breedlt.
• Back line player of the year – Barend Voster.
• Forward player of the year – CJ Ndela.
• Sevens players – Juan Marais and Gert Swanepoel.
• Best junior sevens player of the year – Brandon Els.
• Best senior sevens player of the year – Kelebogile Lemotlo (Spice).
Women’s Grand Challenge League
• Ladies team – Mickey Oosthuizen and Troy Masingi.
• Back line player of the year – Pretty Phakula.
• Forward player of the year – Milo Thandazilo Khumalo.
Representative Awards
• U16 IPT team – Delaine Kester.
• U16 IPT team – Angel Osondu.
• U16 IPT team coach – Troy Masingi.
• U16 IPT team coach – Mickey Oosthuizen.
• U18 IPT team – Raquel Batista.
• U18 IPT team – Karabo TshababaIala.
• U18 IPT team – Jo-dean Subke.
• U18 IPT team – Amber Howell.
• U16 girls’ national week – Nicole Ogbu.
• U16 girls’ national week – Leslie Mthetwa.
• U16 girls’ national week – Larissa Kriel.
• U18 girls’ national week – Chioma Onuegby.
• U16 girls’ elite squad – Nicole Ogbu.
• U16 girls’ elite squad – Larissa Kriel.
• U20 girls Lions team – Paradise Osondu.
Castle Lager Grand Challenge League
• Back line player of the year – Lee-Henzo Jansen.
• Forward player of the year – Keanu Viljoen.
• U21 team – Juan Marais and Travis Howell.
• Back line player of the year – Danny Gouws.
• Forward player of the year – Asande Mzangwana.
• Third team – Johannes de Lange and Pieter Grobler.
• Back line player of the year – Marco van Staden.
• Forward player of the year – Kgotso Matlou.
• Second team – André Marais and Gert Swanepoel.
• Back line player of the year – Keagan van Schalkwyk.
• Forward player of the year – Brendon Scholtz.
Castle Lager Grand Challenge League
• Back line player of the year – Ettienne Taljaard.
• Forward player of the year – Hloni Mphuthi (Khaya).
• Top try scorer of the year – Thylor Paulsen.
• Most loyal player of the year – Yanginkosi Mxdku.
• Most reliable player of the year – Duncan Delport.
• Most improved player of the year – Vernon Lategan.
• Team man of the year – Brandon Schafer and Duncan Delport.
Most exemplary members of the year
• Jake Modise
• Stefan Fourie
• Charlee Sakkrabut Fourie
• Onwell Ndebele.
Executive mentorship
• Shane Kirkwood
• Ruan Smith
• Njabulo Gumede
• JP Smith
• Ettienne Taljaard
• Andries Coetzee
Special awards
• Louis Odendaal with Johnson’s (Diane) and Fox Security (Donovan).
• Most promising junior player – Mihle Cholephi and Cameron Botha.
• Most promising senior player – Dylan Alberts.
• Most valuable junior player – Zain Smith.
• Most diligent ladies player – Zinhle Mvandea.
• Most valuable senior player – Migael du Plessis.
• Junior player of the year U21 and U19 – Ayanda Mzozo.
• Ladies player of the year – Makaketso Matsoele.
• Player of the year – Shaun Botha.
• Ball boy of the year – Blake Worthington.
• Sponsor of the year – GauTruss Helene Stephen.
• Journalist of the year – André Bester (SupaRugby).
• Manager of the year – Amanda Williams.
• Outstanding leadership – Shane Kirkwood.
• Coach of the year – Derek Harwood.
• Team of the year – First Team.
• Junior player’s player of the year – Danny Gouws.
• Senior player’s player of the year – Kelesbogile Lemotlo (Spice).
• BGLRRS club of the year award – Dozi and Tamzin.
