Springboks, Kolisi win prestigious African Union award for Rugby World Cup triumph

Skipper Siya Kolisi and the Springboks were named Sportsman of the Year and Team of the Year, respectively, at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Sports Awards on Saturday.

Kolisi led South Africa to their second consecutive World Cup triumph in France in October last year when they beat the All Blacks 12-11 in the final. 

The awards ceremony, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was attended by a host of athletes and sports administrators from Region 5, which includes Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said the awards given to Kolisi and the Springbok team underlined their significance to Africa.

"This award underlines the continental significance of the Springboks' consecutive Rugby World Cup victories and the key role Siya played in guiding the team both on and off the field," Alexander added.

"They deserve all the recognition for their hard work and sacrifices over several years to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in France last year and Japan in 2019, and we are delighted to see how far and wide their achievements have reached.