Photo Credit: ICC
Laura Wolvaardt and Marco Jansen were crowned as the SA Women’s and Men’s Players of the Year in their respective categories at the annual Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards at Vodaworld in Midrand on Thursday night.
Wolvaardt, who took the reigns as captain of the Proteas Women this past season, achieved the truly remarkable feat of collecting five awards, including the Women’s T20 International Player of the Year, One-Day International Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year. She was also voted the Fans’ Player of the Year.
This is the second time the 25-year-old has won the coveted Women’s Player of the Year award, after winning it in 2020.
Meanwhile, first-time recipient Jansen was recognised for his all-round efforts in a season that saw the 24-year-old go from strength to strength as a key member of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 squad and notable contributions in the Test arena.
Elsewhere in the men’s international categories, World Sports Betting Western Province batter David Bedingham scooped the International Men’s Newcomer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards.
Reeza Hendricks was named the Men’s T20 International Player of the Year, while Quinton de Kock received the Men’s One-Day International Player of the Year award in his final 50-over season with the Proteas. Keshav Maharaj was voted by his peers as the Men’s Players’ Player of the Year.
Eliz-Mari Marx earned herself the International Women’s Newcomer of the Year.
The Best Delivery Fuelled by KFC was courtesy of wonderfully pitched-up inswinger from Marizanne Kapp that forced Australia’s Beth Mooney to play down the wrong line, with the ball expertly disturbing her stumps.
The Makhaya Ntini Power of Cricket Award seeks to demonstrate the ability of this game to change lives and communities. Proteas Women’s seamer Masabata Klaas is a person who has lived a changed life through cricket.
The 33-year-old has played the bulk of her storied international career as a mother to Rethabile, with the power of womanhood allowing her to work and return to cricket. Klaas missed at least three years of cricket, but returned to become not just a revered member of the Proteas Women’s team, but a mentor to younger players.
DP World Lions spinner Nqaba Peter was named both the Men’s Domestic Newcomer Player of the Season and T20 Challenge Player of the Season. His Lions teammate and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder was awarded the 4-Day Domestic Player of the Season and Western Province all-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana the One-Day Cup Player of the Season.
In Division 2, Limpopo Impalas seamer Don Radebe was named the T20 Knockout Player of the Season, Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers batter Blayde Capell the 4-Day Domestic Series Player of the Season, and Knights batter Garnett Tarr the One-Day Cup Player of the Season.
The following players were honoured in the inaugural women’s Division 1 categories: Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers batters Tabitha La Grange (Women’s Domestic Newcomer of the Season) and Tazmin Brits (Women’s T20 Player of the Season), along with Hollywoodbets Dolphins spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (Women’s One-Day Player of the Season).
DP World Lions spinner Bjorn Fortuin and Recon Tactical Free State all-rounder Yolandi Potgieter were the evening’s double winners after receiving the Men’s and Women’s SACA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Domestic Players’ Player of the Year in their respective categories.
Russell Domingo of the Lions was named the Men’s Division 1 Coach of the Year, and JP Triegaardt of the Knights the Men’s Division 2 Coach of the Year, while the Women’s Division 1 Coach of the Year award went to Western Province’s Claire Terblanche.
In the operational category, Allahudien Palekar was recognised as the CSA Umpire of the Year and the CSA Umpires’ Umpire of the Year.
Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki commented: “I would like to congratulate every single one of our winners for the excellence they displayed over the past 12 months.
“It has been a promising year all round for South African cricket, and proof of that is in results as well as the growth of the game.
“Laura and Marco are the winners of our premier awards and they have worked hard to achieve this recognition. We saw Laura elevated to captain of the Proteas Women, a responsibility she has thrived on.
“Marco too has enjoyed a phenomenal season, which culminated with his role as the Proteas Men enjoyed a strong campaign at the 50-over World Cup in India.
“On the domestic front, we are continuing to see talent blossom and congratulations to all the winners in that category as well. Let us not forget to acknowledge our umpires, grounds staff and scorers, too.
“So, from everyone at Cricket South Africa, we are proud of all of you!”
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