SA Rugby has revealed the nominees for the 2024 Women’s Player of the Year award, recognizing five athletes who played pivotal roles in the Springbok Women’s successful Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign and their qualification for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.
The nominees include Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, and Nadine Roos – all previous recipients of the award – alongside Chumisa Qawe and Vainah Ubisi.
Aseza Hele
Aseza Hele’s rugby journey began in 2014 after transitioning from netball, which she played for Eastern Province and Nelson Mandela University. Her introduction to rugby was by chance, having joined a practice session after encountering a local team during a morning run. Hele made her Springbok Women’s Test debut in 2018 and has since become a key figure in the squad. Known for her powerful running and try-scoring ability, she remains an integral part of the national team’s success.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg
A versatile backline player, Libbie Janse van Rensburg continues to make significant contributions to South African women’s rugby. She plays primarily as a fly-half or fullback and was part of the South African squad for the 2024 Sevens Rugby Olympics in Paris. In September 2024, she became the first Springbok Woman to surpass 200 international points during a match against Spain, further solidifying her reputation as one of the team’s standout performers.
Nadine Roos
Nadine Roos has been a consistent force in both sevens and fifteens formats. In 2022, she featured in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town and represented South Africa at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Roos continued to make her mark in 2023, playing in the Dubai Women’s Sevens and later competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In August 2024, she rejoined the Springbok Women ahead of the WXV 2 tournament, bringing her wealth of experience to the squad.
Chumisa Qawe
Chumisa Qawe, from Debe Nek in the Eastern Cape, made her Test debut in 2019 and quickly established herself as a reliable and dynamic player. In May 2023, she was appointed captain for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, guiding South Africa to victories over Cameroon, Kenya, and Madagascar. Qawe’s leadership and standout performances continued into October 2024, where she earned Player of the Match honors against Japan in the WXV 2 tournament.
Vainah Ubisi
Vainah Ubisi’s rise from her village in Limpopo to the national stage exemplifies her dedication to the sport. Since making her Test debut in 2023, Ubisi has been a formidable presence for the Springbok Women. In September 2024, she contributed a crucial try in South Africa’s 31-24 victory over Japan in the WXV 2 tournament, further demonstrating her impact and resilience.
The 2024 Women’s Player of the Year will be announced at SA Rugby’s annual awards ceremony, celebrating the exceptional talent and dedication driving women’s rugby forward in South Africa.
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