On Sunday evening, Cardiff’s star performers and outstanding achievements of the campaign were celebrated at the 2023/24 End of Season Awards, held at Land Rover Stratstone.
Eleven awards were up for grabs in total, and we caught up with Liam Belcher and Tinus de Beer who were the main rugby award winners on the night to get their reaction.
Liam Belcher - Peter Thomas Player of the Season Award
“I’m extremely proud, a lot of unbelievable players have won it in the past, so it’s a very high accolade. I’m surprised and a little speechless.
“I've had a lot of help this year. I've mentioned in the past, the likes of Ellis Jenkins, Josh Turnbull, Rey Lee-Lo, Thomas Williams, Thomas Young, all the old senior boys.
“And to be fair to the younger boys, they’ve stepped up and probably been the shining light in the season as well. They've been outstanding for us this year.
“I think we've got a very bright future ahead. Just the way the morale's been this year, obviously with limited wins, I guess, but we're building foundations of something special.
“We've also got new people coming in as well, which is exciting and they’re just going to add to that.
“Obviously, I want to mention, we will be losing a lot of players who brought a lot into the culture and I think they'll be extremely missed and I wish them all the best in their next steps.”
Tinus de Beer – Fans’ Player of the Season Award (sponsored by Route) and Players Player of the Season Award (Sponsored by Dragon)
"Just to be here and being backed by the team and the staff, that was my main thing coming into the season.
“It’s my first season coming to Cardiff, obviously and it's just good to receive the award, and then obviously means a lot to the team for me doing my job.
“I just want to congratulate the team and the staff for an amazing season and I’m happy to be here, and thank you for the award with so many good nominees.
“I know there's something brewing inside of all of us as a team and as a community, and I think next season will be really exciting for all of us. All I want is to get going again and then crack on to the season.
“We had so many nice memories this whole season, and just wish we could have turned those tight games that we lost into wins.
“We’re looking forward to next season and I'm really excited for it.
“I’m looking forward to a rest, I'm going back to South Africa now for four weeks, seeing my parents and my in-laws for two weeks each.
“Me and my wife are really excited to go back and get around with family.
“Then in four weeks' time we're heading back here and I’m looking forward to that as well, to get back with the boys and get started for next season.”