Oliver Zono sealed the biggest award in Border rugby as he picked up the coveted player of the year gong at a glittering Border Rugby awards ceremony held at Cambridge Hall last night.
Zono, who only played half a season for Border where his scintillating form during the SuperSport Rugby Challenge caught the eye of a number of big unions, with him going to Western Province on trial, before signing for the Southern Kings ahead of their European Pro 14 campaign.
“The mark that Oliver made when he was with us before he went to the Kings was quite remarkable, yes he only played half a season but we are recognising the massive role he played for the Bulldogs,” Border director of rugby Dumisani Mhani said.
“If you are playing flyhalf you are the general of the team, you are the one who must give direction and when you look at the role he played and contribution he made on the field, he was outstanding.
“He is a player with a very good attitude, great decision making, you can see how good he is doing at the Kings and he is making Border rugby proud, so we honour him tonight.”
Another major award on the night saw the team of the year award go to the Border U18 women’s team after they enjoyed a stellar year, while their coach Zolisa Noxeke picked up the coach of the year gong.
“When you look at the women’s team, which has been doing very well for many years, people forget all about the feeder system which is our U18 team,” Mhani said.
“Those young girls are so committed and are putting Border rugby on the map, they have done extremely well this season winning the competitions they are playing in and are the 2017 Youth Training Centres of South African champions, so they fully deserve this award.
“The coach of the year then often goes hand in hand with the team of the year and Zolisa has been integral in their success over the year.”
The prospect of the year award went to the Bulldogs break out wing, Lelethu Gcilitshane, who produced some sparkling performances for the team over the season.
“Lelethu is growing in leaps and bounds, we signed him from the clubs and as soon as he arrived you could see he was hungry to make his mark and he has proven that with a brilliant year,” Mhani said.
“He is an up-and-coming player and has a very bright future.”
The last two main awards saw the provincial manager of the year go to Border Bulldogs manager David Ruiters and the referee of the year go to Bulelani Naka.
Team awards were also handed out on the night, with the Bulldogs awarding lock Hendri Storm as the players player of the year, utility back Sonwabiso Mqalo as the Bulldog of the year and lock Ayabonga Nomboyo as the most improved player.
On the Border women’s front, captain Nolusindiso Booi claimed the player of the year award after another impressive season from the stalwart.
“In rugby there are players who put their bodies on the line and do the dirty work, and Nolusindiso has been carrying the Border women’s team for many years now,” Mhani said.
“This is the same impact she has in the national side and as the captain of both Border and the SA women’s side she makes us very proud here at Border.”
The most improved women’s player award then went to Yanga Ndabeni and the junior player of the year went to Simamkele Namba.
Other awards
Club Admin of the year: Lizo Mfene - Cape Aloes (Nxaruni)
Club Coach of the year: Vusumzi Makeleni - Black Eagles (Tsholomnqa)
Club of the Year: Black Eagles (Tsholomnqa)
U15 Iqhawe Player of the Year: Sophumelela Mtoba
U20 Player of The Year: Thokazani Ngodwana
U20 Most Improved Player: Thembani Kori
U18 Woman Best Player: Chuma Qhawe
U18 Woman Most Improving Player: Owethu Nayiphi
Zono bags accolades at awards
Zono, who only played half a season for Border where his scintillating form during the SuperSport Rugby Challenge caught the eye of a number of big unions, with him going to Western Province on trial, before signing for the Southern Kings ahead of their European Pro 14 campaign.
“The mark that Oliver made when he was with us before he went to the Kings was quite remarkable, yes he only played half a season but we are recognising the massive role he played for the Bulldogs,” Border director of rugby Dumisani Mhani said.
“If you are playing flyhalf you are the general of the team, you are the one who must give direction and when you look at the role he played and contribution he made on the field, he was outstanding.
“He is a player with a very good attitude, great decision making, you can see how good he is doing at the Kings and he is making Border rugby proud, so we honour him tonight.”
Another major award on the night saw the team of the year award go to the Border U18 women’s team after they enjoyed a stellar year, while their coach Zolisa Noxeke picked up the coach of the year gong.
“When you look at the women’s team, which has been doing very well for many years, people forget all about the feeder system which is our U18 team,” Mhani said.
“Those young girls are so committed and are putting Border rugby on the map, they have done extremely well this season winning the competitions they are playing in and are the 2017 Youth Training Centres of South African champions, so they fully deserve this award.
“The coach of the year then often goes hand in hand with the team of the year and Zolisa has been integral in their success over the year.”
The prospect of the year award went to the Bulldogs break out wing, Lelethu Gcilitshane, who produced some sparkling performances for the team over the season.
“Lelethu is growing in leaps and bounds, we signed him from the clubs and as soon as he arrived you could see he was hungry to make his mark and he has proven that with a brilliant year,” Mhani said.
“He is an up-and-coming player and has a very bright future.”
The last two main awards saw the provincial manager of the year go to Border Bulldogs manager David Ruiters and the referee of the year go to Bulelani Naka.
Team awards were also handed out on the night, with the Bulldogs awarding lock Hendri Storm as the players player of the year, utility back Sonwabiso Mqalo as the Bulldog of the year and lock Ayabonga Nomboyo as the most improved player.
On the Border women’s front, captain Nolusindiso Booi claimed the player of the year award after another impressive season from the stalwart.
“In rugby there are players who put their bodies on the line and do the dirty work, and Nolusindiso has been carrying the Border women’s team for many years now,” Mhani said.
“This is the same impact she has in the national side and as the captain of both Border and the SA women’s side she makes us very proud here at Border.”
The most improved women’s player award then went to Yanga Ndabeni and the junior player of the year went to Simamkele Namba.
Other awards
Club Admin of the year: Lizo Mfene - Cape Aloes (Nxaruni)
Club Coach of the year: Vusumzi Makeleni - Black Eagles (Tsholomnqa)
Club of the Year: Black Eagles (Tsholomnqa)
U15 Iqhawe Player of the Year: Sophumelela Mtoba
U20 Player of The Year: Thokazani Ngodwana
U20 Most Improved Player: Thembani Kori
U18 Woman Best Player: Chuma Qhawe
U18 Woman Most Improving Player: Owethu Nayiphi
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