The Airlink Pumas’ Sebastian de Klerk is the SA Rugby Currie Cup Player of 2022.

The SA Rugby Awards’ winners were announced in a press release on Tuesday January 31.

The other nominees in the Currie Cup Player of the Year category were both from the Pumas, Willie Engelbrecht and Devon Williams.

De Klerk scored eight tries during the season.

He was humble in receiving the award.

“Being Currie Cup Player of the Year does not add anything to your stature. It’s a massive privilege to even be nominated. I wish I could take all the credit, but I cannot. It is absolute grace that I can play the sport that I love and be surrounded by people that influence me in a positive way.

“It gives me the hope for my ultimate dream – to wear the green and gold. If I keep working hard the opportunities will come,” De Klerk told Lowvelder.

He was full of praise for his teammates

“My teammates are the okes who deserve all the glory. The influence they had on me was immense. The senior players helped me throughout the year. There was always positive info relayed to me on and off the field. They helped me grow and mature in my game. Their impact was massive. My teammates were the reason I could score tries,” he said.

“The coaching staff had a massive impact on the team’s success. The backline coach (MJ Mentz) has an open-door policy. I could go to him and tell him what I was feeling, what my doubts were, what he expected from me. He would give me clarity and the confidence to back my ability. He spoke about ‘brave moments’ and that I should not be scared to take them. Coach Jimmy (Stonehouse) backed me even when I did not have great games. Our strength and conditioning coach (Corné Steenkamp) helped me with what I needed to work on with extra gym sessions. The positivity they brought contributed to the team winning the cup,” said De Klerk.

He will join the Bulls after the upcoming season.

“In my last season with the Pumas I want to leave an imprint of being a servant of the team. I want to help the guys to learn whatever I can teach them. I want to be remembered as someone who always gave his best. I want to contribute to defending the Currie Cup and enjoy every moment of doing so. This last chapter at the Pumas is special because when it ends I will never play with these guys again.”

De Klerk has not come as far as he has in his rugby career without support.

“I must thank my parents for believing in me since I was child. They were the ones who installed hope in me. My father always said, ‘If who want to reach the top you must work harder than anyone else’. This message has been my hope; I might not be the best yet, but I can work hard and that will give me the edge.

“A special appreciation to Marné (Janse van Rensburg), my girlfriend, for being my number one supporter. If I was down after training and in up in times of difficulty she picked me up. Because of her my mind was focused and clear. It was a tremendous help to know that when I was on the field there was someone in my corner whom I really trust.

“The squad – there were special guys who helped me a lot. They will know who they are. They were there for me, gave advice and mentored me. Then my agent Reggie van Dyk of In Touch Sports was also there for me, always gave advice and drove my career wisely.”

De Klerk learnt valuable lessons from the culture of the Pumas camp.

“There is a big difference wanting to perform and actually performing. This goes with consistency. If one is consistent in the small things and in ones approach to training and matches, success will follow. Sometimes it does not go according to plan, there will be tough times. One can complain or be positive. The latter was the opportunity I learnt to grab with both hands.”

The DHL Stormers, which won the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship, were voted as the Team of the Year. The 2022 Carling Currie Cup champions, the Airlink Pumas, were nominated in this category.
John Dobson duly took the award for Coach of the Year. The other nominees in this category were Bok coach Jacques Nienaber and the Airlink Pumas’ Jimmy Stonehouse.

The SA Rugby Awards winners and finalists (where applicable) for 2022 were:
• SA Rugby Player of the Year: Eben Etzebeth
• Finalists: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe

• SA Rugby Young Player of the Year: Canan Moodie (Springboks/Vodacom Bulls)
• Finalists: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Junior Springboks/South Africa ‘A’/DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks/Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (Springboks/DHL Stormers), Henco van Wyk (South Africa ‘A’/Emirates Lions)

• Springbok Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Roos
• Finalists: Lusanda Dumke, Aseza Hele, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu

• Springbok Sevens Player of the Year: JC Pretorius
• Finalists: Selvyn Davids, Zain Davids

• Junior Springbok Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
• Finalists: Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruan Venter

• Team of the Year: DHL Stormers
• Finalists: Airlink Pumas, Springboks

• Coach of the Year: John Dobson (DHL Stormers)
• Finalists: Jacques Nienaber (Springboks), Jimmy Stonehouse (Airlink Pumas)

• Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year: Sebastian de Klerk (Airlink Pumas)
• Finalists: Willie Engelbrecht (Airlink Pumas), Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas)

• Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year: Jaywinn Juries (Down Touch Griffons)
• Finalists: Jaiden Baron (Boland Kavaliers), Duan Pretorius (Down Touch Griffons)

• Provincial Women’s Player of the Year: Lusanda Dumke (Border Ladies)

• OUTsurance Referee of the Year: Aimee Barrett-Theron

• Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season (announced last year): Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
• Finalists: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Marcell Coetzee (Vodacom Bulls), Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortjé (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka.