Simbine takes the big prize at 19th SA Sports Awards while Junior Boks are also honoured

Three-time Olympian and the greatest sprinter South Africa has produced, Akani Simbine, was named Sports Star of the Year at a glittering ceremony at the 19th SA Sports Awards. The 32-year-old was handed the award ahead of finalists Temba Bavuma (cricket) and Malcolm Marx (rugby).

The SA Sportsman of the Year award went to swimmer Pieter Coetze, who saw off opposition from golf’s Christiaan Maas and boxing’s Kevin Lerena, while athlete Prudence Sekgodiso was named SA Sportswoman of the Year, ahead of Laura Wolvaardt (cricket) and Kira Bester (canoeing).

Cricket was well represented, winning Federation of the Year and overall Team of the Year (men’s Test team), while athletics’ Thabo Matebedi was named Coach of the Year.

Paralympians Simone Kruger and Puseletso Mabote were named Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability and Sportsman of the Year with a Disability, respectively.

South African rugby was again among the big winners at the 2025 South African Sports Awards gala event, staged at the Sun City Superbowl in North West province on Sunday evening.

The triumphant Junior Springbok team, who last season won the Junior World Championship for the first time in 13 years in Italy, were crowned Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year.

The SA U20s, coached by Kevin Foote and captained by Riley Norton, clinched the title after beating rivals New Zealand in a pulsating final in Rovigo to secure South Africa's first junior world crown since 2012.

Test referee Aimee Barrett-Theron was named Technical Official of the Year, while Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick was among five recipients of the Minister's Excellence Recognition Award for outstanding service to South African sport.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander congratulated the Junior Boks, Barrett-Theron and Stick on their accolades.

“South African rugby salutes the Junior Boks, Aimee and Mzwandile on these richly deserved accolades,” said Alexander.

“The Junior Boks’ triumph in Italy last year was a magnificent team effort, and it is fitting that their achievement has now been recognised nationally.

“Aimee’s award is another milestone in a pioneering refereeing career, while Mzwandile’s recognition reflects his invaluable contribution to the Springboks’ success.”

Barrett‑Theron, who officiated at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England and took charge of the semi‑final between Canada and New Zealand, has become one of only four South African match officials to referee 50 Tests.

A former Springbok in fifteens and sevens, she was the first woman to referee a men’s match in South Africa and is now the most capped female referee, with 52 Tests to her name.

Stick, a former Springbok Sevens captain, has served as assistant coach in both the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup triumphs of 2019 and 2023 and continues to play a pivotal role in the team’s success.

ALL THE WINNERS

Sport Star of the Year: Akani Simbine (athletics)

Sportsman of the Year: Pieter Coetze (swimming)

Sportswoman of the Year: Prudence Sekgodiso (athletics)

Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Puseletso Mabote (para athletics)

Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Simone Kruger (para athletics)

National Federation of the Year: Cricket South Africa

Sport Team of the Year: Proteas Men’s Test Cricket

Coach of the Year: Thabo Matebedi (athletics)

Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year: Bayanda Walaza (athletics)

Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year: Men’s Under 20 Rugby Team

Volunteer of the Year: Nqobile Kunene (Rural Horse Racing)

Team of the Year: Proteas Men’s Test team (cricket)

Sport Administrator of the Year: Anthony Moruthane (tennis)

Technical Official of the Year: Aimee Barrett-Theron (rugby)

Recreation Body of the Year: Khokho Association South Africa

Steve Tshwete Lifetime Recognition: Veli Nhlapo, Selwyn Nathan, Siya Vabaza-Booi

Minister’s Excellence Recognition: Temba Bavuma, Mustapha Cassiem, Mzwandile Stick, Adriaan Wildschutt, Tasneem Solomons, Rayno Nel

Andrew Mlangeni green jacket: Patson Banda, Prof. Mlungisi Ngubane, Teenage Dladla, Willie Mtolo

Sport Visual Journalist of the Year: Skhu Nkomphela

Sports Media Journalist of the Year: Rachel Makhura