Jacques Kallis was voted the 2004 Sportsman of the Year for the Western Cape Sports Writers’ Association.
Kallis was presented with the trophy by Nick Mallet at a function held at the Newlands cricket stadium on Monday evening.
Kallis’s superior batting, especially the five consecutive centuries he scored against the West Indies (four in Test matches and one in a one-day international), tipped the scales in his favour.
Kallis also scored an impressive 162 against England in Durban.
The woman’s award went to Natalie du Toit for her performance at the Paralympic Games held in Athens, where she broke four world records on her way to winning five gold medals and one silver.
Du Toit also received the award in the disabled women section.
The junior men’s award went to Vernon Philander, who captained the South African team to a six-wicket victory over India ”A” in Mumbai.
The junior women’s award went to Kelli Shean, who won the Silver Cup at Westlake golf day and was runner-up in the Border Open Championships.
Once again, Ernst van Dyk won the disabled section for men with several outstanding achievements, including the wheelchair marathon held in Japan. — Sapa