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The Citizen's sports lensman scoops award

9 Nov 2006

Wessel Oosthuizen, pictures editor for The Citizen, walked away with the Sasol Springbok Photographer of the Year award at the annual Absa SA Rugby Awards banquet held in Sandton recently. Although the awards primarily recognise rugby players, media contribution is not overlooked.

Wessel Oosthuizen

The Sasol Media Awards included best rugby photographer, journalist and commentator of the year, the latter two secured by Rapport rugby writer JJ Harmse and former Springbok player Kobus Wiese respectively.

This is not the first time Oosthuizen has been recognised for his skills behind the lens. In 1970, he won the South African Sports Photo of the Year award with a picture of Frik du Preez tackling All Black scrumhalf, Chris Laidlaw. That picture was - and perhaps still is - described as the best rugby picture ever taken.

"My winning picture was taken during the second Tri-Nation Test against the All Blacks at the Royal Bofokeng Sports Palace near Rustenburg," comments Oosthuizen. "The image depicted our Springbok captain playing his part in the victorious comeback, hence the title 'The determination of John Smit'".

The Citizen's publisher Greg Stewart is thrilled with Oosthuizen's achievement. "Although not the only rugby picture awards," he says, "this remains one of the most prestigious awards for photographers."