Van der Berg awarded after wildly successful Wanderers season

Rugby
Andrew Poolman
  • 1 Year Ago 12 November 2022
Flyhalf André van der Berg was named sportsman of the year – as well as players’ player of the year – at FNB Wanderers Rugby Club’s yearend function for its highly successful 2022 season.

The club made history by not only winning the Namibia Rugby Union’s premier and reserve leagues with its first and second men’s teams, but also the inaugural NRU women’s 15s league.

Van der Berg had an outstanding season after joining from North West University – scoring more than 150 points during the regular season, before contributing another decisive 24-points haul in the final against FNB Unam.

Van der Berg was absent at the awards, but sent a video message from Madrid in which he expressed his thank to all his Wanderers team mates that played a role in his selection for the national team’s current European tour. Namibia will play a test match against Spain in Madrid later today – with Van der Berg included on the bench for the first time.

Wanderers’ backline player of the year is right wing Nandivatu Karuuombe, who was the leading try scorer in the first team, including two in the final against Unam.

Hooker Obert Nortje was honoured as the best forward for the White Stallions. Nortje was a member of the touring squad that won 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification in France, but was unavailable for the current European tour due to personal reasons.

WOMEN’S RUGBY

Mandie van Staden, who earlier this year was captain of the Namibian women’s team in Rugby Africa tournament against South Africa and Zimbabwe in Cape Town, was named Wanderers’ Rugby sports woman of the year. Shandre Jantjies won junior sportswoman of the year, while versatile Suné Wittmann (best upcoming player) and Memory Tjivikua (most dedicated player) were also honoured.

OTHER AWARD WINNERS

Club supporter of the year: Apie Kotze.

Most loyal player: Jacques Theron.

Most dedicated player: Driaan Vorster.

Most consistent player: Bernie Hugo.

Best upcoming player: Le Beau du Preez.

Junior player of the year: Iyambo Tshuuya.

Second team player of the year: Dano Kotze.

Most improved player in the second team: Dandre Schreuder.

Club team of the year: Men’s first team (NRU premier league winners).