Olympic gold medallistChad le Clos was crowned Sports Star of the Year at the SA Sports Awards in Sandton on Sunday evening.

The 20-year-old clinched the top accolade ahead of last year’s winner, cricketer Hashim Amla, swimmer Natalie du Toit, athletes Caster Semenya and Oscar Pistorius, Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvete and Protea wicket-taker Vernon Philander.

Le Clos became an overnight sensation when he beat Michael Phelps by a whisker for the gold medal in the 200m butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics. He went on to win silver in the 100m butterfly behind Phelps.

Le Clos bagged R1 000 000 for his award as well as a brand new BMW.

Philander claimed the Sportsman of the Year trophy following a prolific debut Test season where he became the second fastest man to take 50 wickets in the history of cricket.

Rowing SA was one of the big winners on the evening as they scooped three awards with president Wimpie du Plessis named Administrator of the Year and the sporting code taking the Federation of the Year award.

The Olympic gold medal winning South African men’s coxless lightweight fours rowing team of Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Britain, John Smith and James Thompson walked away with the Team of the Year award.

Semenya, who was the country’s only medallist in the track and field at the London Olympic Games, clinching the 800m silver medal, received the Sportswoman of the Year award.

In the Coach of the Year category, Banyana Banyana’s Joseph Mkhonza walked away with the spoils.

The coach led the South African women’s soccer team to their first Olympic Games where they failed to advance past the group stages at the London showpiece.

Legendary Paralympian Du Toit was honoured during the evening by being named Sportswoman of the Year with Disability.

She bowed out from competitive swimming after this year’s Paralympic Games having won a total of 13 gold and two silver medals in Paralympic competitions.

The Sportsman of the Year with Disability went to Pistorius, who this year made history by competing at both the Olympics and Paralympics.

Full List of Winners

Sports Star of the Year
Chad le Clos – Swimming South Africa

Sportsman of the Year
Vernon Philander – Cricket South Africa

Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
Oscar Pistorius – Athletics South Africa

Sportswoman of the Year
Caster Semenya – Athletics South Africa

Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
Natalie du Toit – Swimming South Africa

Team of the Year
Rowing

Administrator of the Year
Wimpie du Plessis – Rowing South Africa

Newcomer of the Year
Siyamthanda Kolisi – Rugby South Africa

Coach of the Year
Joseph Mkhonza – Banyana Banyana

Indigenous Games of the Year
Team KZN – KZN Indigenous Games Council

Federation of the Year
Rowing South Africa

Journalist of the Year
Velile Mbuli – SABC

Photographer of the Year
Sydney Seshibedi – The Star

School Team of the Year
Ithembelihle Comprehensive School – SA Rugby

Developing School Team of the Year
Nkunzimbini Junior Secondary School – African Football Championship

Best Recreation Body of the Year
Vhakhegula Vhakhegula – Limpopo Grannies in Football

Volunteer of the Year
Sondiso Magajana – Judo South Africa

By Sapa/Jacaranda Sport