Springboks earn more plaudits

Smith a gleaming golden light

The Springboks achieved what many thought impossible six months ago by winning the 2004 Tri-Nations - clinching the trophy in an epic match in Durban on the weekend. And the Boks even cleaned up at our post-tournament awards - with Wallaby flanker George Smith proving to be a shining light for his team in defeat.

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: George Smith (Australia)

This was a tough one with very few players enjoying consistently brilliant performances. Schalk Burger was an obvious choice, but we made him the rookie of the tournament, and Matt Giteau showed he has an eye for the gap and a defence that belies his slight stature. But in the end Smith snuck this award by showing his class against the Boks twice and the All Blacks in Sydney. What was Wallaby coach Eddie Jones thinking benching the ACT Brumbies star in the opening game against the All Blacks?

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: Schalk Burger (South Africa)

Whether it is due to his blonde mop or his tireless work-rate the young South African flanker is proving to be the find of the season - anywhere in the world - and could grow to be one of the game's legends. With hands the size of garden spades and the ability to endure great pain, Burger is a dynamo when taking the ball on or digging for it on the ground.

TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: South Africa

From the laughing stock of world rugby - the jester of the court - the Springboks have again emerged with polished horns, announcing their return to the stage and broad smiles . Nobody really thought it was possible - maybe not even themselves - but considering were they were six months ago, nobody could deny the South Africans this award.

MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: New Zealand

They promised so much, but yet they failed to live up to all the pre-tournament hype. It's not that they choked (as perhaps the did during the 2003 Rugby World Cup) it's just that their poor players could not make head or tail of Graham Henry's intriguing 'flat-attack' tactics.

MOST IMPROVED TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: South Africa

Who would argue? They have finished at the bottom of the Tri-Nations table since the 1998 tournament (which they won) and then clinched the title in 2004. Clearly the Boks don't believe in half-measures.

COACH OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: Jake White (South Africa)

Take a bow, Mr White! It took a teacher to show the Boks the error of their ways - and it was done in style, along with a healthy dose of dignity.

GAME OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: South Africa v New Zealand in Johannesburg

Sure, the Kiwis won't agree with this one - but for sheer emotion and unbridled joy, nothing else came close to seeing the Springboks finally shrug off the monkey on their back and put one over their most fierce rivals.

THE MOST DISAPPOINTING GAME OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: All Blacks v Australia in Wellington

Neither side lived up to pre-tournament expectations in the opening game, with Australia drowning in the Wellington floods and the All Blacks grinding out their most uninspiring win in recent times.

TRY OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)

All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina - along with wingers Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko - seemed all at sea in the All Blacks' new flat formation of attack, but the flying Blues star showed with his 60 metre break-out against the Boks in Johannesburg that he has lost none of his attacking abilities when given the ball and a sniff of space.

THE TURNING POINT OF THE TOURNAMENT
Winner: Australia's victory over New Zealand

When the Wallabies beat the All Blacks in Sydney - with the Springboks and fans supporting the men in gold for perhaps the first time in history - the stage was set for the Boks' to come from behind and snatch the trophy. If George Gregan and his team-mates had lost - the South Africans' tournament would have been over before their home leg even started.