The Emirates Lions speedster was on Sunday voted the Emirates Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season. The try-scoring machine also picked up the Players’ Player award, a category voted for by his fellow teammates.

Van der Merwe was nominated alongside hooker PJ Botha and Quan Horn- who received the forward and backline player of 2022/23 respectively. Staying with senior accolades, hooker Jaco Visagie walked away with the Fidelity ADT Lions Currie Cup Player of Year for his consistent performances during the campaign as we as his leadership.

With a total of eleven tries in all international club competitions, the 27-year-old has produced breath-taking runs and tries in the past season, making him a fan favourite both locally and abroad.

“It’s a massive honour for me to be recognized in this way in front of our Lions members, players and families. It motivates me to be even better in all aspects of the game and to grow as a person,” expressed Van der Merwe.

On his Players’ Player of the Year Award:

“To be acknowledged by your teammates is so special. These are the guys you spend most of your time with on and off the field and to have them honour me is incredible.”

“While I walk away with the award, what we achieved in the past season was a true collective effort and I’m excited for what’s to come when we kick-off our URC campaign in October,” he concluded.

Lions Awards Winners:

Lions Junior Awards

Best Forwards Player: Ruan Delport

Best Backline Player: Kelly Mpeku

Player of the Year: Nico Steyn

Women’s Rugby

Mastercard Golden Lions Women’s Player of the Year: Xoliswa Kudzwayo

Currie Cup Award 2023

Fidelity ADT Lions Currie Cup Player of 2023: Jaco Visagie

Vodacom United Rugby Championship and Heineken EPCR Challenge Cup 2022/23

Emirates Lions Forward of the Year: PJ Botha

Emirates Lions Backline Player of the Year: Quan Horn

Players’ Player of the Year: Edwill van der Merwe

Jaco Kriel Leadership Award: Marius Louw

Player of the Year (MVP): Edwill van der Merwe