End-of-year series: Bok star up for top award

SPOTLIGHT: Eben Etzebeth's performances during the end-of-year series has not gone unnoticed in the north.

The Bok lock is one of six stars nominated for the Player of the Series award.

He is up against England's Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith and France's Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.

Ireland's Caelan Doris is the other nominee.

Etzebeth was all over the park for the Springboks during their end-of-year series in the United Kingdom, making a joint team high seven carries for 46 metres (second on the team) and also topping the South African rankings for tackles with 13.

He used all his veteran nous to steal a crucial late line-out that almost scuppered England’s hopes of victory, while his physicality and raw power helped his team’s pack dominate proceedings in the second half.

It was the sort of display Etzebeth produced throughout the end-of-year series as he drove the world champions to victories over Wales and Scotland before the final round loss.

The winner of the award will be decided by a fan vote.

CLICK HERE to cast your vote

Source: @autumnnations