Burger Odendaal named Bulls’ best for 2017
The Bulls held their annual prize-giving event at Loftus Versfeld last week and the Union's Currie Cup captain, Burger Odendaal, has been named Player of the Year.
Burger Odendaal, one of the few Bulls players who has excelled this year in Super Rugby as well as the Currie Cup tournament, was named last week as the Bulls Player of the Year for 2017.
The Blue Bulls Company held their 2017 Awards Ceremony at Loftus Versfeld last week. Despite the difficult 2017 season, there was a positive spirit amongst the players and coaches who attended the function. The Blue Bulls Rugby Union will celebrate its 80th birthday in 2018 and it was the declared goal of everyone present that it will be the year in which glory and silverware will return to Loftus Versfeld.
The event was attended by players, management, sponsors, partners and stakeholders of the Bulls.
Odendaal was voted as the senior player of the year after a standout season while Ruben van Heerden was recognized for his breakout year with his junior player of the year award.
Future stars like Marco van Staden, Johan Grobbelaar, Stedman Gans en Tinus de Beer have also counted among the prize winner in the various categories.
The star of the event was the popular prop Pierre Schoeman. He won four awards and it is clear that he also off the field a great ambassador for the Bulls. Two of the union’s sponsors honored him with special awards.
All the awards:
U19s:
Forward of the Year: Ruan Nortjie
Back of the Year: Wian van Niekerk
Player’s Player of the Year: JC Pretorius
Most Promising or Improved Player: Werner Fourie
Coaches’ Recognition Award: Luke Fortuin
U21s:
Forward of the Year: Maruis Verwey
Back of the Year: Stedman Gans
Player’s Player of the Year: Gerhard Steenekamp
Most Promising or Improved Player: Xolisa Guma
Coaches’ Recognition Award: Zama Dyidi
Super Sport Rugby Challenge:
Forward of the Year: Marco van Staden
Back of the Year: Andre Warner
Player’s Player of the Year: Tinus de Beer
Most Promising or Improved Player: Aston Fortuin
Coaches’ Recognition Award: Abongile Nonkontwana
Currie Cup:
Forward of the Year: Pierre Schoeman
Back of the Year: Warrick Gelant
Player’s Player of the Year: Burger Odendaal
Most Promising or Improved Player: Johan Grobbelaar
Coaches’ Recognition Award: John William Meyer
Super Rugby:
Forward of the Year: Jason Jenkins
Back of the Year: Travis Ismaiel
Player’s Player of the Year: Ruan Steenkamp
Most Promising or Improved Player: Pierre Schoeman
Coaches’ Recognition Award: Burger Odendaal
Other and main awards:
Cheerleader of the Year – voted by Babes: Kirsten Francis
Puma Award: Ruben van Heerden
Afgri Award: Pierre Schoeman
Isuzu Award: Pierre Schoeman
BBCo Koggelbul Award: Jason Jenkins
BBCo Employee of the Year: Sophy Tshokwe
High Performance BBCo Employee Award: Divan Strydom
High Performance Players Award: Jacus Coetzee
Coach of the Year: Pote Human
Junior Player of the Year: Ruben van Heerden
Senior Player of the Year: Burger Odendaal
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