The winners of the Shimlas Rugby Club at the Free State Rugby Union’s
award ceremony are from left: Mario Vieira (Player with Most Progress),
Melusi Mthethwa (Coach of the Year), Dian Badenhorst (Most Valuable
U21 Player), Sango Xamlashe (Most tries), Dougie Heymans (Club Official
of the Year), Daniel Maartens (Club Player of the Year), Dr. Riaan Schoeman
(Shimlas team manager on behalf of Ruben Schoeman, U21 Player of the
Year) and Nakkie Naudé (Most points scored).
Photo credit: Supplied

The Shimla rugby club bagged a whole bunch of awards at the recent annual prize-giving ceremony of the Free State Rugby Union, capping another good year for the club.

Daniel Maartens, flank of the Shimlas, who also played for the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and Pro14 competition this year, scooped the biggest prize, that of the Club Player of the Year.

Maartens had a brilliant year for the Shimlas, especially in the Varsity Cup where he was rewarded for his consistent performances through selection into the competition’s Dream Team. Maartens and Phumzile Maqondwana (reserve) were the only Shimlas in that team.

Melusi Mthethwa, who scouts players for the university, was named Coach of the Year. He coached the Free State U19 team to the final of the national competition.

First-year student, Mario Vieira, who played for the provincial U19s and the UFS Young Guns (u20), received the trophy for the Player with the Most Progress.

Ruben Schoeman was named as the U21 Player of the Year and Dian Badenhorst as the Most Valuable U/21 Player.

Sango Xamlashe, a member of the Shimlas and Free State U21 scored the most tries (11) during the year and Nakkie Naudé the most points (75).

Challenging year

Furthermore, Dougie Heymans, rugby manager at KovsieSport, received recognition as the Club Official of the Year.

According to Heymans, it was a year of challenges.

“We are very proud of our Sevens team who obtained a silver medal at the Varsity 7s this weekend in Durban,” Heymans said.