Ellis Park played host to the annual glittering Golden Lions Rugby Union Player Awards event on Wednesday evening, where several individuals were acknowledged for their achievements during the 2014 season.

The GLRU celebrated the Springbok capping of three players in 2014, namely Warren Whiteley, Julian Redelinghuys and Marnitz Boshoff.

Whiteley, Kwagga Smith, Ruhan Nel and Mark Richards all represented South Africa in Sevens rugby in 2014, with Whiteley and Smith both having been a part of the gold medal-winning Commonwealth Games side.

The GLRU’s SA U20 representatives for 2014 included Cyle Brink, Thabo Mabuza, Ramone Samuels, Malcolm Marx, Jaco van der Walt and Victor Sekekete.

All of these national representatives were honoured at the awards ceremony.

Meanwhile, in the U19 age group, Marnus Erasmus walked away with the U19 Forward of the Year award, while Godfrey Ramaboea was named the U19 Backline Player of the Year. Gerdus van der Walt was the recipient of the 2014 U19 Player of the Year award.

In the U21 age group, Malcolm Marx was named the U21 Forward Player of the Year. Harold Vorster was selected as both the U21 Backline Player of the Year and the 2014 U21 Player of the Year.

The Senior Awards were dominated by the forwards with Armand van der Merwe walking away with the Most Improved Player of the Year award. Loose forward Jaco Kriel was named the Forward Player of the Year, the Players’ Player of the Year and was also awarded the Supporters’ Player of the Year Award.

Over 650 votes were cast via social media for the Supporters’ Player of the Year award, with Kriel receiving 36% of the votes.

Lionel Mapoe walked away with the Senior Backline Player of the Year, while flyhalf Jaco van der Walt won most improved Backline Player.

Finally, captain Warren Whiteley was named the 2014 Player of the Year.

The full list of award winners are as follows:

Under 19 Awards:

• Forward Player of the Year: Marnus Erasmus
• Backline Player of the Year: Godfrey Ramaboea
• Player of the Year: Gerdus van der Walt

Under 21 Awards:

• Forward Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx
• Backline Player of the Year: Harold Vorster
• Player of the Year: Harold Vorster

Senior Awards:

• Forward Player of the Year: Jaco Kriel
• Most Improved Forward Player of the Year: Armand van der Merwe
• Backline Player of the Year: Lionel Mapoe
• Most Improved Backline Player of the Year: Jaco van der Walt
• Supporters’ Player of the Year: Jaco Kriel
• Players’ Player of the Year: Jaco Kriel
• Player of the Year: Warren Whiteley

Referee of the Year:

• Lesego ‘Pro’ Legoete