WATCH South Africa’s Springboks WIN Laureus World Team of the Year Award
South Africa’s Springbok rugby team was named the Laureus World Team of the Year at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on Monday evening in front of a gathering of some of the biggest sports names in the world. Laureus tweeted congratulations saying: “#StrongerTogether ? ?. An incredible Rugby World Cup triumph which showed the unique […]
South Africa’s Springbok rugby team was named the Laureus World Team of the Year at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on Monday evening in front of a gathering of some of the biggest sports names in the world.
Laureus tweeted congratulations saying: “#StrongerTogether ? ?. An incredible Rugby World Cup triumph which showed the unique power of sport to unite ?…”
WATCH Siya Kolisi’s Moving Acceptance Speech
The people's champion @SiyaKolisi_Bear 🙌
A special and moving speech from the incredible World Team of the Year @Springboks' captain 🇿🇦
"We really touch lives in the way governments and politicians can't do."
A true sporting inspiration 👏#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/e4h6P1Yvfx
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020
The evening’s events were the landmark 20th Anniversary of the Laureus World Sports Awards, which was inspired by the late South African statesman Nelson Mandela who said: “Sport has the power to change the world!”
These words were echoed by legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar who won the Laureus Sporting Moment 2000-2020 Award, voted by the people (beating out South Africa’s inspirational swimmer Natalie du Toit).
Tendulkar, who led his team to a glorious home victory at the 2011 ICC World Cup (on his sixth and final attempt) recalled Mandela’s words and said winning a World Cup is the one time when nobody in the country is divided and everyone is united. He said he carried that Cup not for himself, but for India. He also spoke about meeting Mandela when he was just 19 years old. (Watch the video at bottom of page.)
Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi said before the Awards how meaningful it would be for the Springboks to win the Team of the Year Award on this 20th anniversary. He also said how wonderful it had been to win the Rugby World cup and see how positive people around the world have been not only about the rugby, but about South Africa. Watch here:
"To see the joy in kids faces back at home is exactly what we wanted to achieve and we hope it doesn't end here."
"The Mandela spirit is always around."
Inspirational @Springboks captain @SiyaKolisi_Bear 🇿🇦#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs
🎥 Laureus Live: https://t.co/C2zTQ6Xvxq pic.twitter.com/J1ly9JKbu2
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020
Kolisi lost out in the Laureus Sportsman of the Year category to six-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, and football’s Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who shared the award for the first time in Laureus history. Messi became the first footballer to receive the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
"I am honoured to be the first to win this award being a sportsperson coming from a team sport."
Felicidades Lionel Messi 🙌#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/Qt7UDTpFya
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge also lost out in the Sportsman of the Year Award, but seemed to enjoy his time in Berlin and was one of the first to congratulate Lewis Hamilton:
A big congratulations to @LewisHamilton as @LaureusSport sportsman of the year. Well deserved. pic.twitter.com/6u4fhurJ5q
— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) February 17, 2020
A wonderful day in Berlin meeting with so many inspiring people and fans before the @LaureusSport gala this evening. pic.twitter.com/wq3HfCx3sb
— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) February 17, 2020
Sachin Tendulkar’s acceptance speech:
"This is a reminder of how powerful sport is and what magic it does to all of our lives."
A God for a nation. An inspiration worldwide.
And an incredible speech from the Laureus Sporting Moment 2000 – 2020 winner, the great @sachin_rt 🇮🇳#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/dLrLA1GYQS
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020
An incredible Rugby World Cup triumph which showed the unique power of sport to unite 🙌
Congratulations @Springboks on winning the Laureus World Team of the Year 🇿🇦#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/MHOupckGv4
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020
Full List of Laureus Winners:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles
Laureus World Team of the Year: South Africa Men’s Rugby Team
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Egan Bernal
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Sophia Flörsch
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oksana Masters
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Chloe Kim
Laureus Best Sporting Moment: ‘Carried on the shoulders of a nation’ – Sachin Tendulkar
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Dirk Nowitzki
Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Spanish Basketball Federation
Laureus Sport for Good Award: South Bronx United
Read more about the Laureus Awards on their website here.