At the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Sports Awards in Lusaka, Zambia, captain Siya Kolisi, who has captained the Springboks to two Rugby World Cup victories, was presented with a continental award along with his team.

The Springboks were voted Team of the Year for the region, which includes 10 countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Kolisi was named Sportsman of the Year.

Kolisi also won awards for Sports Star of the Year and People’s Choice at the SA Sports Awards, in addition to their Team of the Year recognition from the SA Rugby Awards and SA Sports Awards.

President of SA Rugby Mark Alexander praised Klisi and the group, but emphasized that the Springboks ought to have been the ones to take home the trophy.

“This award highlights the significance of the Rugby World Cup victories for the continent by the Springboks, as well as the important role that Siya played in leading the team both on and off the field,” he said.

“We are ecstatic about the breadth and depth of their accomplishments, and they merit every accolade for their years of selflessness and diligence in taking home the Webb Ellis Cup in France in 2019 and Japan in 2020.”
“We hope this inspires teams across Africa to follow in their footsteps and achieve similar success. The team and Kolisi have been crucial in demonstrating what unity, teamwork, and overcoming numerous barriers on and off the field can achieve in nation-building and building winning teams.”

The Springboks play their first Test of the year against Wales at Twickenham at the end of June. They then host Ireland for a two-match series before playing Portugal for the first time ever. Next up is the Rugby Championship, followed by the year-end tour.

Springboks fixtures

Wales vs. Springboks on Saturday, June 22 at Twickenham, London
Ireland vs. Springboks on Saturday, July 6 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria
Ireland vs. the Springboks on Saturday, July 13 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban
Portugal vs. the Springboks on July 20 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein
Australia vs. Springboks on Saturday, August 10 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane
Australia vs. Springboks, Saturday, August 17, Optus Stadium, Perth
South Africa vs. New Zealand on Saturday, August 31, Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Springboks vs. New Zealand on Saturday, September 7, at DHL Stadium in Cape Town
Argentina vs. Springboks on Saturday, September 21 (venue TBC)
Argentina vs. Springboks on Saturday, September 28 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit
Scotland vs. Springboks on Sunday, November 10 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
England vs. Springboks on Saturday, November 16 at Twickenham, London
Wales vs. Springboks on Saturday, November 23 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium