A trophy bearing the name of Kebotile Maake, who was crowned the Vodacom Bulls U19 Player of the Year for 2025 at the Blue Bulls Company Annual Awards.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Limpopo-born rugby prospect Kebotile Motlotjoa Maake has been crowned the Vodacom Bulls U19 Player of the Year for 2025 at the Blue Bulls Company annual awards ceremony held in Pretoria on Wednesday evening.
The Tzaneen-born loose forward was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Bulls’ U19 side during the 2025 season, capping a remarkable year in which he emerged as one of the organisation’s leading young talents.
He received the prestigious award ahead of fellow U19 players Heinrich Theron, who was named Forward of the Year, and Pieter van der Merwe, who took the Back of the Year award.
The award comes at an exciting time in Maake’s development. The talented loose forward has progressed through the Bulls’ junior structures and has gone on to represent the Junior Springboks, establishing himself as one of South Africa’s promising young back-rowers.
Maake was also part of the Junior Springboks’ successful World Rugby U20 Championship title defence in Georgia this year. He delivered a standout performance in the semi-finals, scoring two tries in South Africa’s 53-37 victory over England.
His 2026 season has seen another significant step forward, with Maake making the transition into senior rugby and featuring for the Bulls in the Carling Currie Cup after his Junior Springbok commitments.
The latest accolade therefore represents more than recognition of his 2025 U19 campaign — it is another milestone in what is becoming a rapid rise through the South African rugby pathway.
For the people of Tzaneen and Limpopo, Maake’s achievement is another proud moment as one of their own continues to make his mark on the national rugby stage.
The 2025 Vodacom Bulls U19 award winners:
* Player of the Year: Kebotile Maake
* Forward of the Year: Heinrich Theron
*Back of the Year: Pieter van der Merwe
Maake’s latest achievement further strengthens his credentials as one of Limpopo’s young rugby talents to watch as he continues his push towards established senior rugby.
Vodacom Bulls U19 Player of the Year for 2025 Kebotile Maake.