This year’s annual Golden Lions awards ceremony turned out to be a fitting tribute to the big role smaller schools still play in developing talent for senior rugby. Some of those rewarded for achievement in the different team categories (u19, u21 and senior) schooled at the likes of Alberton, Bredasdorp, Hartswater, Marais Viljoen, Pretoria North, Standerton and Transvalia.
The main under-19 winner was former KES lock Cyle Brink has been a player who has thrived as a blindside flank in junior rugby this year. Brink was part of a team that reached the finals of this year’s national competition. Given his size, strength and skills package, he will head into 2014 as a strong contender for under-20 Junior World Championships selection.
Lions players have to a large extent missed out on Springbok selection this year. There are however positive vibes around Ellis Park these days and it’s no longer a stretch of the imagination to believe that when the Super Rugby season starts up again, there may well be a shift of power back South of the Jukskei River once more.
The full list of award winners is as follows:
U19 Forward Player of the Year
Malcolm Marx (KES)
U19 Backline Player of the Year
Koch Marx (Alberton)
U19 Player of the Year
Cyle Brink (KES)
U21 Forward Player of the Year
Steph de Wit (Transvalia)
U21 Backline Player of the Year
Marais Schmidt (Monument)
U21 Player of the Year
Ruaan Lerm (EG Jansen)
Senior Most Improved Player of the Year
Jacques van Rooyen (Pretoria North)
Senior Players’ Player of the Year
Jaco Kriel (Standerton)
Senior Supporters’ Player of the Year
Willie Britz (Diamantveld)
Senior Forward Player of the Year
Derick Minnie (Marais Viljoen)
Senior Backline Player of the Year
Anthony Volmink (Bredasdorp)
Senior Player of the Year
Franco van der Merwe (Hartswater)
@Speartackle: No he is the flank. Big lock is Stephan Vermeulen
Is Steph de Witt that big lock forward?
I like that Cyle Brink. He is going all the way.