Hollywoodbets Dolphins 2025 Awards: Subrayen, Candler Dominate Winners List

Subrayen and Candler Steal the Spotlight at 2025 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Awards Night

Summary
The 2025 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Awards held at Mount Edgecombe Country Club saw standout performances rewarded in both the men’s and women’s categories. Prenelan Subrayen and Alexandra Candler led the honors with multiple accolades, capping off dominant seasons with bat and ball in South Africa's domestic cricket circuit.

Subrayen, Candler Shine Bright at Glamorous Hollywoodbets Dolphins Awards 2025

In a night that celebrated consistency, leadership, and match-winning prowess, two names emerged head and shoulders above the rest Prenelan Subrayen and Alexandra Candler. The 2025 edition of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Awards, held at the elegant Mount Edgecombe Country Club in Durban, was nothing short of a cricketing spectacle as the Dolphins family came together to honour their finest.

Subrayen, a seasoned campaigner and stalwart of Dolphins cricket, scooped up three major trophies: Men's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, and 4-Day Series Player of the Year. It was a deserved acknowledgment of a season defined by discipline and all-round consistency. The off-spinner’s craft proved invaluable, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker not just in the 4-Day Domestic Series but also in the One Day Cup, underlining his impact across formats.

Meanwhile, the women’s segment belonged yet again to the irrepressible Alexandra Candler. Known for her calm temperament and steely focus at the crease, Candler repeated her awards haul from the previous season, this time with added flair. She was named Player of the Year and also took home the Hollywoodbets Pro50 Batter and Player of the Year awards. Finishing as the top scorer in the Pro50 with 387 runs and among the top five in the Pro20 with 205 runs, Candler's influence with the bat was unmatched throughout the campaign.

Dolphins Cricket Rewards Grit, Skill and New Talent

The awards night was not just about the headline-grabbers. It reflected a healthy balance of youth and experience across the board. Jon-Jon Smuts, whose batting exploits led the Dolphins to One Day Cup glory, was named One Day Cup Player of the Year. Smuts topped the competition charts and scored a vital 91 in the final, proving again that big players rise in big moments.

Andile Simelane's electric performances earned him the T20 Challenge Player of the Year award. With bat and ball, he turned games on their heads and was instrumental in Dolphins’ push during the T20 season.

Another notable honoree was young wicketkeeper-batter Hanu Viljoen, who picked up the Newcomer of the Year award. His dual role behind the stumps and with the bat in hand was a revelation during the Dolphins' successful One Day Cup campaign, highlighting a bright future ahead.

Women’s Cricket at Dolphins Reaches New Heights

While Alexandra Candler dazzled with bat in hand, she wasn’t alone in lifting the standards of women’s cricket at the Dolphins. Nondumiso Shangase, a player well known for her commitment and leadership, won three awards herself: Hollywoodbets Pro50 Bowler and Fielder of the Year, as well as the Hollywoodbets Pro20 Player of the Year. Shangase’s contributions as captain in the Pro50 competition were crucial, especially in tight contests where her control and fielding turned the tide.

Nicole de Klerk also made waves this season and was honored as the Hollywoodbets Pro20 Batter of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year. Her 219 runs from eight innings, including two half-centuries at an average of 31, underpinned a solid campaign. De Klerk’s ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed added another reliable cog to the Dolphins’ batting machine.

Jade de Figueiredo picked up the Hollywoodbets Pro20 Bowler of the Year award, while athletic dynamo Nobulumko Baneti’s tireless fielding earned her the Pro20 Fielder of the Year. Each of these awards serves not just as recognition, but a marker of the growing depth in the Dolphins’ women’s setup.

Beyond the Awards: A Season of Legacy and Promise

For Prenelan Subrayen, this season was about more than wickets. It was about leadership. His calm presence in the dressing room and his ability to influence games with subtle variations made him the glue of the Dolphins men’s unit. Similarly, Candler’s back-to-back dominance at the awards night signals more than just a run of form it’s a legacy in the making.

It was also a night of looking ahead. The club's focus on youth, evident in the acknowledgment of players like Viljoen, Simelane, and de Klerk, showcases a pipeline designed for sustained success.

The awards gala, hosted with the flair expected of Dolphins cricket, brought together stakeholders from every corner players, coaching staff, partners like Hollywoodbets, and the broader KwaZulu-Natal cricketing fraternity. It served as both a reflection and celebration of what Dolphins cricket has become: a symbol of professionalism, passion, and progress.