The 2008 sports season has once again produced a new breed of winners at various levels, but who are the next crop of players set to make it big?

Howard Kahn gazes into his crystal ball ahead of 2009, picking ten promising sports people destined for the top after showing some promise in 2008.

1. Rafael da Silva (Football):

The talented Brazilian right back moved to Manchester United in January 2008, but was allowed to play for the Red Devils only when he turned 18 in July. His twin brother Fábio — a left back — is also at the club, but he is yet to play for the first team. Rafael, who wears the No.21 shirt at ManYoo, made his first Premier League start against West Brom on 18 October, before notching up his first goal — against Arsenal nogals — on 8 November.

2. Robert Ebersohn (Rugby):

Jean de Villiers, watch out... This 19-year-old Free Stater will be breathing down your neck come 2011. Not only is he skilful and brave, but he is very level-headed — as he proved with his decision to play Sevens rugby and not Super 14 rugby in 2009. His rugby-playing abilities aside; judging by his Currie Cup performances for the Cheetahs in 2008, the big occasion does not get to him. (His twin brother, flyhalf Sias, is no slouch either — so watch out for the Ebersohn name in years to come... )

3. Richard Henyekane (Soccer):

With Bafana Bafana looking a bit thin up front, 25-year-old Golden Arrows striker Richard Henyekane will be looking to convince Joel Santana that he is the answer to his team's goal-scoring woes. This season, Henyekane achieved a rare feat in South African soccer by scoring five goals in two matches, not just against any ordinary teams — but against two of SA's so-called 'big teams', namely Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

4. Nick Köster (Rugby):

Some have already labelled him the next Bob Skinstad, others like iafrica.com columnist Robbie Fleck believe it is simply a matter of when — not if! — he will play for the Springboks. Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus is evidently toying with the idea of playing him on the wing in 2009, but it is at No.8 where this man will flourish in 2009. (Interestingly, he is a day older than SA U19 team-mate Robert Ebersohn — Köster having been born on 22 February, 1989, with Ebersohn celebrating his birthday on 23 February.)

5. James O'Connor (Rugby):

The baby of the Wallabies line-up at 18 years of age — give the Aussies credit, they're not scared to pick 'em young — O'Connor showed plenty of promise for the Force during the Super 14, despite having to face up to the likes of Ma'a Nonu and Stirling Mortlock on successive weekends. A 'veteran' of four Super 14 games, 'Rabbit' became the second youngest player ever to represent the Wallabies when he made his Test debut against Italy in November. A centre, first and foremost, Robbie Deans seems to think he could become a Test fullback — who are we to argue?

6. Rilee Rossouw (Cricket):

South African cricket is on a high, given the recent goings-on Down Under, but a quick look through the domestic first-class batting averages and you can't help but feel even more confident about the future — especially when the name Rilee Roscoe Rossouw appears on the run-scoring charts. Currently (as at 22 December, 2008) the leading run-getter in the MTN Domestic Championship with 403 runs in nine games, the 19-year-old is a tall and elegant left-hander with a full array of strokes. A member of Ray Jennings's talented SA Under-19 squad from earlier in 2008, he is one of a host of players (Wayne Parnell, JJ Smuts, Jonathan Vandiar, etc) from that side showing plenty of promise and looks set to take the full step up during the next few seasons.

7. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Tennis):

The flamboyant 23-year-old Frenchman turned professional in 2004 already, but he caught our attention during the 2008 Australian Open when — as an unseeded player — he beat Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, before losing to Novak Djokovic in the final. He won two titles in 2008, including an ATP Masters Series triumph, and he could be worth a wager as a wildcard Grand Slam winner in 2009.

8. Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Cricket):

The lanky Port Elizabeth-born bowler is currently on tour with the Proteas in Australia and patiently waiting his first international appearance. His left-arm seamers would add an extra dimension to the Proteas attack and at 24 he does have time on his side in terms of learning his trade from the likes of Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn before taking that next step up. He boasts a first-class bowling average of just 21.29 and has thus far picked up 16 wickets in four games at 18.12 during the 2008/09 SuperSport Series competition.

9. Cameron van der Burgh (Swimming):

A little-known member of SA's Olympic swimming team in Beijing, 20-year-old Van der Burgh stole the limelight in November with some record-breaking performances later in the year. The overall points winner in the FINA Arena Swimming World Cup circuit this year, for good measure, Van der Burgh broke a few world records along the way too, collecting a neat 'little' purse of US$100 000 at the same time.

10. Sebastian Vettel (Formula One):

Vettel became the youngest Formula One driver, at 19 years and 53 days, when he took part in the Friday practice session for the Turkish GP in 2006. This year, however, the Heppenheim-born driver became the youngest Formula One driver to win pole position, before becoming the youngest ever F1 winner — thanks to a stunning wet-weather win in Monza in mid-September. At just 21, age is well and truly on his side, with a switch from Toro Rosso to Red Bull next season confirming that he is very much on the up and certainly one to watch in 2009.

  • Did Howard miss any sporting young guns? Who do you think will make it big in 2009?
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