Kolisi, Springboks headline strong SA presence nominated for Laureus Awards

The enormity of the Springboks' Rugby World Cup-winning efforts in 2023 were further acknowledged on Monday when the nominees were announced for the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards.

South Africa received four nominations, with the winners to be announced on Monday, 22 April in Madrid.

Two-time World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi was nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year, while the Boks were nominated for Team of the Year. 

Kolisi's role in South Africa going back-to-back at the Rugby World Cup in Paris was made more remarkable due to his quick recovery from a knee injury, which he sustained in April last year.

Just 119 days after his operation, Kolisi led the Springboks in their tournament opener against Scotland and then went on to lead the team to their fourth Rugby World Cup title in a grand final against the All Blacks.

He has been nominated alongside gymnast Simone Biles, Borussia Dortmund striker Sébastien Haller, Denver Nuggets basketball star Jamal Murray, tennis sensation Markéta Vondroušová and athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

"This is such an overwhelming moment for me - to be nominated with the Springboks for Laureus Team of the Year, and also individually for Comeback of the Year. I know just what it means to win a Laureus Award," said Kolisi in a press statement.

"It was a close thing whether I would recover from injury in time to play in the Rugby World Cup. I made it, so it's a very special personal moment for me to receive my nomination."

The Springboks are nominated following their momentous World Cup triumph over New Zealand. In October's final, the Springboks became the first team to win four Rugby World Cups by overcoming the All Blacks 12-11 at the Stade de France.

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