The awards, originally organised by the Free State Sport Writer’s Association, have been an institution since the 1950’s.
The event presented by Central24 and the University of the Free State, takes place on 12 October 2023 at Monte Bello in Bloemfontein. Standard Bank is the main sponsor of the event.
Last year the Protea netball star Khanyisa Chawane was the Sportswoman of the Year. Top performers are honoured for international performances from 1 October 2022 – 30 September 2023.
Although there were many Sportswoman of the Year candidates, the following are nominated in 2023:
Nita (Scholtz) Albertse (badminton)
Scholtz won two medals at the All Africa Badminton Championships.
She claimed a silver in the women’s singles and a bronze part of the South African mixed team in Benoni.
She reached the round of 16 in the women’s doubles.
In 2022 she won medals at the Egypt International (bronze, women’s singles), Zambia International (bronze, women’s singles), Botswana International (gold, women’s singles; bronze, mixed doubles) and the South Africa International (silver, women’s singles).
In 2023 she claimed medals at the Cameroon International (bronze, mixed doubles) and Benin International (gold, women’s singles).
Scholtz was ranked 94th in the world (women’s singles) at the time of judging.
Khanyisa Chawane (netball)
Khanyisa Chawane
Chawane was part of the Proteas at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town and represented her country in a second World Cup. She also played in the Quad Series, between South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, in the Mother City.
Chawane has played more than 70 tests for South Africa.
Louzanne Coetzee (Para Athletics – T11)
Louzanne Coetzee
Coetzee and her guide Estean Badenhorst won a silver medal at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.
She ran a season best time of 4:48.13 (women’s 1500 m) and qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
She ran the London Marathon with her guide Claus Kempen and also qualified for the marathon at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Annerie Dercksen (cricket)
Annerie Dercksen
Dercksen made her T20 international debut and represented South Africa in the T20 Tri-Series, against India and the West Indies, before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The all-rounder, who has played three T20 internationals, was selected for the final Protea T20 World Cup squad in South Africa.
Although she didn’t play a World Cup game, the team was the first ever South African cricket side to reach a World Cup final.
Kesa Molotsane (athletics)
Kesa Molotsane
Molotsane represented South Africa at her third World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.
She finished 48th (37:37) in the senior women’s 10km, with the South African team taking 7th position in this division.
She took part in the South African Half Marathon Champs and in her debut outing finished fourth (01:14:31).
Molotsane was selected for the national team to the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga.
Refiloe Nketsa (netball)
Refiloe Nkesa
Nketsa, who has played ten tests, represented the Proteas in the Quad Series, between South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, in Cape Town.
She also played in the Diamond Challenge between the Proteas, Zimbabwe, Scotland and a President’s XII. She was an official reserve for her country at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
Nketsa was vice-captain of the South African team that won a first ever silver medal at the Fast5 World Series in New Zealand.
Karla Pretorius (netball)
Karla Pretorius
Pretorius made her return, after giving birth to her daughter, in the Quad Series, between South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, in Cape Town.
She was Protea vice-captain at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
Pretorius played in her third World Cup and became only the fifth South African to reach the milestone of 100 international caps.
Yolandi Stander (athletics)
Yolandi Stander
Stander won a silver medal, with a discus throw of 57.89 m, for South Africa at the World Student Games in Chengdu.
She was crowned national champion again when she won the South African Championships (57.48 m) and passed the 58 meters (personal best 58.80 m) mark for the first time in 2023.
Stander represented South Africa the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where she threw the 17th furthest distance (53.39 m).
