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Oregan hails award-winning Boks
19/02/2008 10:20 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union, has congratulated the Springboks on winning the prestigious Laureus Team of the Year Award.
The team's unbeaten display at the Rugby World Cup last year saw them clinch the 2008 Laureus World Team of the Year accolade on Monday at the ninth annual awards ceremony in St Petersburg, Russia.
Former Bok coach Jake White and players Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Percy Montgomery, Bakkies Botha and Butch James received the world's most prestigious sport award before a global television audience from rugby legends Sean Fitzpatrick and Hugo Porta at the Mariinsky Concert Hall.
Hoskins said Saru was extremely proud of the Springboks' latest achievement and added that the team has left behind a lasting legacy.
"It is an incredible feat for any team to be voted the best in the world. Such an achievement should serve as an inspiration not only to rugby players, administrators and supporters, but to all South Africans.
"I want to congratulate the players, coaches and team management as well as all the other important role players who contributed so much to an unforgettable 2007 season. Your wonderful achievements have really inspired the nation," said Hoskins.
The Springboks won their second World Cup in France last year, beating England 15-6 in a pulsating final.
Last year the team also scooped all the major awards at the IRB Awards ceremony in Paris. Jake White was acknowledged as the Coach of the Year, Bryan Habana won the Player of the Year Award and the Springboks collected the Team of the Year Award.
Montgomery was the highest point scorer in the World Cup and Habana the leading try scorer.
The Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony brings together sporting celebrities past and present to honour the great achievements of the sports stars of today and is also a platform to showcase the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation's humanitarian programme operates on every continent and has improved the lives of over 150 000 young people since its inception.
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