Success rewarded for local rugby players

SIBONELE Jele bagged the prestigious Player of the Year award at the Richards Bay Rugby Club annual prize-giving dinner held at the University of Zululand Richards Bay Campus on Friday evening.

The talented player was one of many trophy winners on the evening who contributed to the club’s success in their debut season in the Premier League.

Richards Bay were promoted to the Premier League this year after dominating the First Division for a number of seasons.

The local club managed to hold their own in the ‘big league’ under head coach Trevor Montgomery, finishing within the top six in the Castle Murray Cup.

The first XV managed to beat every team in the league at least once, except for College Rovers, Mancosa Rhinos and Durban Collegians.

The club has a roller-coaster season with success on the field, but the passing of club stalwart Bill Fourie.

Richards Bay are starting with preparations for the 2018 season and call upon all interested rugby players to report for a pre-season training session on Monday 2 October.

The club will also be fielding an U20 team next year.

Coaches and managers wanting to get involved in the club for 2018 can drop off their CVs at the club’s bar during the week.

Awards

Best Junior – Lwazi Mthetwa.

Most Improved Player – Thamsanqa Maphanga.

Most Versatile Player – Stevie Meyer.

Most Dedicated Player – Quinton van Wyngaardt.

Best Supporter – Leticia Montgomery.

Married to Rugby – Adele Fouche.

Most Tries – Johan Pretorius.

Most Premier League Tries – JB Heunis.

Best Team 2017 – Third Team.

Best Backline Player – Jaco Pretorius.

Best Forward Player – Du Toit Visser.

Clubman of the Year – Hennie Grobelaar and Eugene Lenders.

Players’ Player of the Year – Jimmy Enslin.

Player of the Year – Sibonele Jele.

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