The Cheetahs claimed no less than three of the seven awards categories up for grabs at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee, Rosko Specman, was named as the Backline Player of the Year following an outstanding season on the HSBC Sevens Worlds Series and for the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and Guinness Pro14.

The deadly winger, Makazole Mapimpi, was named as the Most Improved Player of the Year for his 11 tries in the Super Rugby, 6 in the Currie Cup and 9 in the Pro14.

The Springboks centre and Cheetahs captain, Francois Venter, was received the Fans Choice Award.

Venter told OFM Sport that it was great for the Cheetahs to end 2017 on a positive note.

“It’s a huge honour winning an award like that and it’s also good for Free State Rugby.

“Rosko Specman and Makazole both played great rugby this year, so it is well deserved accolade for them.

“Seeing guys like them hitting their straps and having blinders is what we want to see at the Cheetahs and I think there entire seasons were definitely amazing.”

Mapimpi was also nominated for the Players’ Player of the Year Award, which was won by Siya Kolisi.

Defender of the Year: Malcolm Marx • Runners up - Jean-Luc du Preez, Siya Kolisi, Philip Snyman

Forward Player of the Year: Siya Kolisi • Runners up - Chris Dry, Franco Mostert, Warren Whiteley

Backline Player of the Year: Rosko Specman • Runners up - Ross Cronje, Dillyn Leyds, Mathrin Simmers

Best off the Bench:  Steven Kitshoff • Runners up: Faf de Klerk, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Akker van der Merwe

The #LoveChange Award – for the most-improved player over the past year: Makazole Mapimpi • Runners up - Lionel Cronje, Sbu Nkosi, Jan Serfontein

The Fans’ Choice Award – Francois Venter • Runners up - Siya Kolisi, Seabelo Senatla, Curwin Bosch, Courtnall Skosan

The Players’ Player of the Year -  Siya Kolisi • Runners up: Makazole Mapimpi, Rosko Specman, Warren Whiteley

Morgan Piek OFM Sport