JACQUES Theron and Astrid van Lill won the sportsman and sportswoman of the year awards at Wanderers Rugby Club’s prize giving ceremony on Friday night.
Theron cemented his place as Wanderers’ first-choice scrum half while he was also called up to the national squad which competed against Kenya and Zimbabwe at the Stellenbosch Challenge in November last year.
Van Lill, a lock forward, was also called up to the women’s national squad last year and made her debut in an international friendly against Zambia in November.
Wanderers men’s head coach Rohan Kitshoff said 2021 was a frustrating year, with Wanderers making it to the final, but then being suspended after fielding ineligible players.
Western Suburbs, who laid the complaint against Wanderers, and Unam, who beat Suburbs in the final, were subsequently also found guilty of fielding ineligible players, with the result that last year’s final will most probably be declared null and void.
“Last year was a very mixed-up year. We played a few rounds, but then we had to stop due to Covid 19. Then we played again and made it to the final, but then we were suspended, and in the end there was no winner of the league,” he said.
“After the Covid 19 break we remained unbeaten last season and it’s a pity we could not play in the final. I’m sure if there were no problems we could have won the league, but that’s now in the past and I’m positive and looking forward to 2022,” he added.
Wanderers also announced the appointment of former national centre Darryl de la Harpe as assistant coach, and he joins Kitshoff and backline coach Dirk Human on the first team coaching staff.
For the first time in its history Wanderers also honoured its female players at the awards ceremony and their coach Janice Beukes said women’s rugby was here to stay.
“Sport is sport and if a man can do it, a women can also do it. We believe women’s rugby in Namibia can go places, and we won’t stand back. Some of our new players made it into the national squad so things are happening at Wanderers women’s rugby,” she said.
“The Zambia result (Namibia lost 75-5) was a setback, but a baby cannot walk immediately and needs to go through a learning process. This year will be a defining year for women’s rugby at Wanderers – watch this space,” she added.
Wanderers executive committee member Attie Samuelson said Wanderers was a special club and called on its players to plough back into the club.
“Wanderers is a unique club and special club. I arrived here 30 years ago when there were big name players like Gerhard Mans and Andre Stoop, but they made me feel welcome and were willing to share their knowledge.
We are a family at Wanderers and like any family there are always arguments and disagreements, but when the going gets tough we stand together and we give back to Wanderers. Wanderers will always support you, but it demands that you also plough back into the club,” he said.
The compete list of winners is as follows:
Men’s players’ player of the year: Warren Ludwig.
Men’s second team most progress: Erik Strauss.
Men’s second team player of the year: NG Swart.
Men’s junior player of the year: Johan Zaayman junior.
Men’s most loyal player: Ryan Coetzee.
Men’s most dedicated player: Bredell Wessels.
Men’s most consistent player: Rico Lategan.
Men’s backline player of the year: Warren Ludwig.
Men’s forward of the year: Driaan Vorster
Men’s sportsman of the year: Jacques Theron
Men’s emerging player of the year: Herschelle van Wyk
Supporter of the year: Manfred van Wyk.
Women’s junior player off the year: Ida Visagie
Women’s most dedicated player: Lourencia Rooinasie
Women’s emerging player of the year: Mandi van Staden
