Steval Pumas shine at awards
The team's glory-filled 2013 season kicked off with them being runners-up in the Vodacom series, followed by a 16-match unbeaten record in the Absa Currie Cup First Division, as well as their share in the SA Presidents XV success in the Tbilisi Cup under the leadership of coach Jimmy Stonehouse
JOHANNESBURG – The Steval Pumas won three major awards at the annual South African Rugby Union’s Player of the Year Awards on Wednesady night.
Recognition for brilliance among peers is what every sportsman strives for. On Wednesday at the awards ceremony at Gold Reef City, the Pumas literally walked away with heaps of gold.
The team’s glory-filled 2013 season kicked off with them being runners-up in the Vodacom series, followed by a 16-match unbeaten record in the Absa Currie Cup First Division, as well as their share in the SA Presidents XV success in the Tbilisi Cup under the leadership of coach Jimmy Stonehouse. All these achievements couldn’t have been rewarded better than with a nomination for the SA Team of the Year award.
They had to compete with the likes of the 2013 Currie Cup champions, the Sharks and the Springboks for the prestigious Team of the Year Award, and at the end walked away with the grand prize.
“We achieved a lot during the season. The move to Nelspruit, a motivated team and talented players who shared one vision, contributed to our success. And then off course to beat the Kings was almost sweeter than beating the Blue Bulls,” Stonehouse jokingly commented.
Although Springbok captain Jean de Villiers was crowned the SA Player of the Year, local hero and Steval Pumas Player of the Year, Rosko Specman was nominated for two other awards, the Vodacom Series Player of the Year and Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year. He was crowned the Absa Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year for his 11 tries in the competition and positive contribution to the team’s success.
“All the honour to God for the opportunities that I have received, a fairly injury-free season and then to a great team! I really enjoy my rugby and will give 110 per cent every time I’m on the pitch,” Specman proudly commented.
The 2014 season started on another high. Late last year he was part of the South African Academy Sevens team, but received his call to make his debut for the BlitzBokke in Las Vegas earlier this year. “Now there is just one trophy I’ll hunt in the next year, and that will be the SA Seven’s Player of the Year award, which was won this year by a great friend and player, Cornal Hendricks,” said Specman.
At the end of the day the success of any team was always measured by its leaders. That is why the Pumas’ drill sergeant, Stonehouse was nominated for Coach of the Year. This would be his second nomination. But, to make things more difficult for the judges, his fellow nominees were Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer and The Sharks’ Brendon Venter.
The 2013 Steval Pumas and Presidents XV accolades were in Stonehouse’s favour. He showed that he could take any squad to the highest level and therefor deserved the Absa Coach of the Year Award.
“This prize I dedicate to the Steval Pumas team, from management, sponsors, fans to each and every player. Not only for their dedication, hard work and commitment, but for their loyal support and friendship during good and bad times. The hard work has started already for our 2014 campaign and I must say that we are ready for a great year. Our last warm-up match will be against the Lions next weekend. Then we kick-off our Vodacom series with an away game against the Falcons and then the big home clash on March 15 against the Blue Bulls, ” concluded Stonehouse.
* At the end of the 2013 rugby season the Steval Pumas won promotion to the Absa Currie Cup Premeir Division
The awards in all categories:
Saru Rugby Player of the Year: Jean de Villiers
Finalists: Bismarck du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Willie le Rouxand Duane Vermeulen
Absa Young Player of the Year:: Eben Etzebeth
Finalists: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and Jan Serfontein
Sarpa Players Player of the Year: Willie le Roux (Springboks, Toyota Cheetahs, GWK Griquas)
Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: Cornal Hendricks
Finalists: Frankie Horne and Seabelo Senatla
SA u/20 Player of the Year: Cheslin Kolbe
Finalists: Jacques du Plessis and Seabelo Senatla
Absa Team of the Year: Steval Pumas
Finalists: The Sharks (Absa Currie Cup) and Springboks
Absa Coach of the Year: Jimmy Stonehouse (Steval Pumas, SA Presidents XV)
Finalists: Heyneke Meyer (Springboks) and Brendan Venter (The Sharks)
Vodacom Super Rugby Player of the Year: Adriaan Strauss (Toyota Cheetahs)
Finalists: Willie le Roux (Toyota Cheetahs) and Duane Vermeulen (DHL Stormers)
Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Scarra Ntubeni (DHL Western Province)
Finalists: Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Western Province) and Fred Zeilinga (The Sharks)
Absa Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Rosko Specman (Steval Pumas)
Finalists: Alshaun Bock (SWD Eagles) and Tiger Mangweni (EP Kings)
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year: Fred Zeilinga (Sharks XV)
Finalists: Marnitz Boshoff (Golden Lions) and Rosko Specman (Steval Pumas)
Supersport Try of the Year: Jean de Villiers (Springboks v Wales in Cardiff)
Marriott Referee Award: Jonathan Kaplan
Women’s Achiever of the Year: Zenay Jordaan (Eastern Province)
Cell C Community Cup Player of the Tournament: Giovano Fourie (GAP Management Despatch)
Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Tournament: Grant Hermanus (Western Province).
