Habana SA's rugby player of 2005
Brad Morgan
26 October 2005
The Springboks' flying winger Bryan Habana stole the show at the annual SA Rugby Awards when he was named both Player of the Year and Super 12 Player of the Year.
2005 has been a special year for Habana. He has scored in six of the nine tests he has played in and on four occasions has scored a brace of tries. His record includes two against Uruguay, two against France (twice), two against Australia, another against the Wallabies, and a further try against New Zealand.
But it hasn't been just about the tries Habana has scored. It has been about the way he has scored them, and there have plenty of examples of his incredible pace, which has seen the former scrumhalf run in five-pointers from great distances.
Worthy winner
Up against Victor Matfield, who enjoyed a brilliant Tri-Nations competition, Habana was a worthy winner of the Player of the Year award over his Bulls' teammate, whom many regard as the best
lock in the world.
There was a third award for Habana, too, as he claimed the Supersport Try of the Year for his solo effort from his own 22-metre line in which he beat four men in the Bulls' 38-24 victory over the Blues at Loftus Versfeld.
Bok captain John Smit received recognition for his great leadership skills when he was selected as the Players' Player of the Year. So far in 2005 he has led the green and gold to six wins, two losses and a draw. The results include a victory over the All Blacks and three wins over the Wallabies.
Edging the All Blacks
In 23 tests as captain, Smit's record is 16 wins, six losses and a draw. Even the mighty All Blacks have failed to maintain their mastery of South Africa under Smit. Both teams have won twice in meetings under his captaincy and the Springboks have held the edge in scoring 110-96.
The games have been tight. with the Boks winning matches by 40-26 and 22-16, while losing others by
23-21 and 31-27. They have also outscored the men in black by 12 tries to eight.
Blue Bulls' captain Anton Leonard, in his final season, didn't win the Currie Cup, but he was named Absa Currie Cup Player of the Year.
Boland pace merchant Jongi Nokwe picked up the Sasol Most Promising Player of the Year award, while Earl Rose was named Under-21 Player of the Year and Chiliboy Ralepelle the Under-19 Player of the Year.
Stefan Basson won the Sevens Player of the Year, Jonathan Mokoena was picked as Vodacom Cup Player of the Tournament, and Gio Aplon claimed the Supersport Club Championships Player of the Tournament.
The British Airways Women's Rugby Achiever of the Year winner was Ingrid Botha. Jonathan Kaplan won the Marriot Refereeing Achievement of the Year, and Malungisa Nkosi won the Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Week award.
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