Who will win World Player of the Year? Rugby icon weighs in
World Rugby announced the shortlists on Monday for their annual awards, and the Springboks feature prominently, as expected, for the World Player of the Year.
The wider rugby community are almost unanimous in agreement that one of Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe or Pieter-Steph du Toit will walk away with the main prize, with fellow nominee Caelan Doris of Ireland not expected to be ahead of any of the Springboks.
However, it is difficult to pick between the South African trio, but when speaking to Vision4Sport – who offer hospitality packages for rugby’s most iconic events – former Wallabies legend David Campese made his choice clear.
“The player of the year has got to come from the best team,” he commented. “The Springboks are by far the best in the world. They’re so good that they could put out five teams which could hold their own against anyone.
“To my mind it has to be Etzebeth. As a forward in the middle of the scrum to do what he does week in week out is phenomenal.”
Although his pick went to Etzebeth, Campese raved about the impact of Kolbe as a player.
“What a player, what a great player! He is just getting better. He is a great entertainer and the best thing about him is that he is not 120 kilogrammes! He provides such flair and excitement.
“It means young kids can look at him and realise that they too could still play rugby. That’s what is most inspiring about him, the impact he has on the next generation.”
Meanwhile, Springbok flyhalf Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu, who made a strong statement in his first foray into the Test team before a knee injury cut short his season, was nominated for the Breakthrough Player of the Year.
He was nominated along with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England), Jamie Osborne (Ireland) and Wallace Sititi (New Zealand) for the Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
South Africa’s Springbok nominees are:
Men’s 15s Player of the Year:
Eben Etzebeth
Cheslin Kolbe
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year:
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Rassie Erasmus congratulated the players for being nominated and making their mark on the biggest stage in rugby this season.
“Making their nominations even more remarkable is that most of them have won two Rugby World Cup titles already and that they have continued to deliver the high standards we expect at the Springboks over several years.
“Over and above that, we have used 50 players in our Tests so far this season, and to see them shine among the best players in the world is fantastic. We are extremely proud of them, and we wish them luck when the winners are revealed.”
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL CLAIM THIS COVETED AWARD?
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