Stefan ‘Bok’ Coetzee, has had a phenomenal year for the Airlink Pumas in 2024, scooping up six awards including the Pumas Player of the Year prize at their annual awards evening.

Known as Bok by his teammates, the 26-year-old Coetzee has had a phenomenal breakout year in the pink and grey colours of the Pumas. A man who naturally stands out head and shoulders above his compatriots, Coetzee wasted little time in making his mark in the side, proving a pivotal part of the Pumas backline in the inaugural SA Cup competition.

He spent most of the competition plying his trade as full back and played a crucial role in the Pumas reaching the final. This fine form continued over into the Carling Currie Cup, where he underwent a position change and moved out to the wing, proving just how adaptable the Springbok native is.

Coetzee was brilliant under the high ball and was rock solid in defence, while also offering up pace and creativity in attack for the Pumas. His exploits led to him being lauded during the Airlink Pumas Awards evening at the Emnotweni Arena on November 21.

Coetzee’s first trophy of the evening was the Pumas SA Cup Backline Player of the Year award. He was also named the Prospect Player of the Year by André Green and received the SupaRugby Trophy from André Bester.

When it came to the Currie Cup awards, Coetzee featured prominently once more. He was named the Players’ Player of the Year as well as the Pumas’ Currie Cup Player of the Year. Finally came the crème de la crème, as Coetzee was officially named the Airlink Pumas Player of the Year for 2024, cementing his name in the team’s history books.

The Pumas’ squad for 2025 was also announced on the evening, along with the unveiling of their new kit for the coming season. They will sport different kits for the SA Cup and Currie Cup competitions, and kit manufacturer, Must Be Nice Clothing, has extended its contract with the Pumas until 2029. There were, of course, a host of other awards handed out on the evening.

The other awards handed out were:
• 50 Caps Award – Shane Kirkwood, Kwanda Dimaza and Dewald Maritz
• URC Player Award – Deon Slabbert
• Most Tries – Phiko Sobahle and Ross Braude
• Most Points – Clinton Swart
• Most Improved Backline Player – Russwill Fredericks and Tino Swanepoel
• Most Improved Forward Player – Jeandré Leonard
• Most Loyal Player – Jan-Henning Campher
• Biggest Hit (voted for by fans) – Ruwald van der Merwe and Clinton Swart
• Best Try (voted for by fans) – Phiko Sobahle
• SA Cup Forward Player of the Year – Ruwald van der Merwe
• SA Cup Player of the Year – Ross Braude
• Currie Cup Backline Player of the Year – Clinton Swart
• Currie Cup Forward Player of the Year – Ntsika Fisanti.