The inaugural BrightRock Players Choice Awards feature a category where fans can vote for their favourite of five finalists – and a charity benefits with a R50 000 from the winner. Mandy Collins talked to each of the finalists.
The first BrightRock Players Choice Awards aren’t just about giving players a pat on the back. They’re also about giving back. In the Fan’s Choice category in particular, fans will be helping to ensure that one of five charities receives a R50 000 donation.
There are five finalists in this category, and each has been paired with a celebrity partner – together each duo must campaign to encourage fans to vote for them, and winner will donate R50 000 from his own pocket to the charity of his choice.
We chatted to the finalists to find out a little more about their partnerships, and the charities they plan to support.
SIYA KOLISI
Siya Kolisi was part of the six Young Guns who trained with the Springboks in June 2012 during the Castle Incoming Tour against England that year. A year later, he made his full Springbok debut against Scotland in Nelspruit. Today, the loose forward captains the Stormers and is the Springbok vice-captain – and known for wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Why should fans vote for you to be Fans’ Choice?
Because our chosen charity, the Frida Hartley Shelter, does great work to empower vulnerable women and helps them to get back on their feet. We all know that when a society supports and empowers its women, this will mean a better country for us all.
What is your favourite thing about your celebrity partner, Anele Mdoda?
Her sense of humour and her humility. She is always willing to help those in need out of the goodness of her heart.
Why did you choose the Frida Hartley Shelter as your charity?
The Frida Hartley Shelter assists vulnerable women and their children by giving them shelter and helping them get jobs and schools until they can support themselves.
What do you appreciate most about MyPlayers?
MyPlayers does amazing work for us. Through this organisation we know our needs are looked after and we’re also empowered to look after one another.
SEABELO SENATLA
Seabelo Senatla is one of the most exciting players in the national Sevens team, and runs like his legs have wings. Originally from Welkom, he currently plays Super Rugby with the Stormers and sevens rugby with the South Africa national rugby sevens team. In 2016 he was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year.
Why should fans vote for you to be Fans’ Choice?
I honestly don’t know what to say. Perhaps just support the cause – even if you’re not a fan of what I do. Please help me to help some kids from the area where Itumeleng Khune and I grew up.
What is your favourite thing about your celebrity partner, Itumeleng Khune?
From one sportsman to another, the consistency in his play is something I admire. It’s hard to go out every week and perform at a certain level every single time. He’s been doing it for years! Otherwise, I like the person he is. He’s such a great gent.
Why did you choose the Khune Foundation as your charity?
Soccer was my first love growing up. I hold the sport close to my heart. One other thing I hold dearly is giving hope to others. I’m from a small town where there are minimal opportunities, and that’s what the Khune Legacy tournament provides. The mind-set of “only people from big cities can make it in life” automatically fades when you bring these things to them. Mind-set is probably one of the biggest holds on our people in our birth communities. I’ve seen how talented individuals in the township give up playing the sport merely because they don’t have attire or boots, and so on. It really breaks my heart. I have a mission to give hope to our people – both tangible and intangible – and the Khune Legacy Tournament is aligned accordingly.
What do you appreciate most about MyPlayers?
They allow us to perform our best on the field by taking care of all things off the field.
What do you love about change, and what do you hate about it?
I love that change tests our character and almost forces growth within us. I hate the fact that it’s inevitable and if you don’t adapt, you get left behind.
COURTNALL SKOSAN
Courtnall Skosan hasn’t followed the conventional route to playing for the Springboks, but he got his big break when he took part in an invitational sevens tournament, which happened to be broadcast on TV. The Bulls spotted him, and he was off to Pretoria for a junior trial. The rest, as they say, is history.
Why should fans vote for you to be Fans’ Choice?
To me, rugby is more than just a game. I believe that it creates a platform to reach out and inspire, give hope and motivate others to chase their dreams too. That is my vision and that is why I believe that people should vote for me. It will allow me the opportunity to take another positive step in being the difference that I want to see in the world.
What is your favourite thing about your celebrity partner, Wayde van Niekerk?
Wayde has a heart for people. He is humble and a man of God. That is what I enjoy and love about him. He is an inspiration to so many across the globe, myself included.
Why did you choose Door of Hope as your charity?
Door of Hope is a charity that provides a home for abandoned babies. They have a baby ‘bin’ where people that can’t care for their little ones can come and drop the baby, instead of leaving it in a drain or dumpster. There is an alert that goes off, and they care and raise that little one and give them a chance at life – something we should all have. It warms my heart to know that there are people that God uses to do these amazing things.
What do you appreciate most about MyPlayers?
The fact that they bring innovative things to the players and help us with things that we need. We need to be looked after. Ha ha!
What do you love about change and what do you hate about it?
Change is good if it’s for the better. What I love about it is that it brings endless opportunities if you are willing to take the leap. What I hate about change is when it’s not for the better. We don’t always have control over what happens in our lives, but control over how we deal with it. If it doesn’t make me stronger, better or help anyone in a positive way, I don’t want it.
FRANCOIS VENTER
Francois Venter is an inside centre and captain of the Cheetahs. He was a member of the South Africa Under 20 team that competed in the 2010 and 2011 IRB Junior World Championships, and has previously played for the Bulls. In 2016, Venter was included in a South Africa ‘A’ squad that played a two-match series against a touring England Saxons team
Why should fans vote for you to be Fans’ Choice?
It’s not about me! It’s all about supporting a good cause and giving something back.
What is your favourite thing about your celebrity partner, Bouwer Bosch?
Bouwer is a down-to-earth guy with a great sense of humour. There is never a dull moment with him!
Why did you choose Liefde Wen as a charity?
Because if we can show a bit of love for one another every day it will make a world of difference.
What do you appreciate most about MyPlayers?
The organisation has always helped players in good and bad times. They help us with life after rugby, and remind us of stuff we don’t even think about.
What do you love about change, and what do you hate about it?
I think change is a difficult thing for most people. I think it depends on your mind-set! I always try to see the opportunities that come with change, and try to embrace it.
CURWIN BOSCH
Curwin Bosch is a fly-half for the Sharks, but grew up in Port Elizabeth. His rugby career began with schoolboy rugby, and he represented Eastern Province at Craven Week twice. He moved to Durban to join the Sharks academy for the 2016 season, and that year he was included in the final South Africa U20 squad for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester.
Why should fans vote for you to be Fans’ Choice?
I would encourage fans to vote for me because my aim is to make a difference in others’ lives this festive season. Christmas is a special time for all of us, and I would like to make it special for less fortunate children.
What is your favourite thing about your celebrity partners, Sky Tshabalala and Darren Maule?
They have great humour, and likeable personalities, so they are very easy to work with.
Why did you choose Toy Story as a charity?
Toy Story aims to buy as many toys as possible and hand them out to children who won’t be getting anything for Christmas.
What do you appreciate most about MyPlayers?
They take the players’ interests first. They make sure that a player can give all their attention to rugby on the field, because they are in control of what’s happening off the field.
What do you love about change, and what do you hate about it?
I love being challenged. It also broadens your knowledge and creativity when there is change. I hate it because you often have to start from scratch again.
- Visit the BrightRock Players Choice Awards page on Facebook at facebook.com/PlayersChoiceAwards for more information, and to vote for your favourite player!
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