Nominees for Players' choice awards revealed
AWARDS: Siya Kolisi, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth and Lukhanyo Am have all been nominated for the coveted Players' Player of the Year.
The annual awards will see the winners in the six different categories be decided by votes from South Africa's professional players themselves and the winners will be announced during an awards ceremony that will take place virtually on September 23.
Meanwhile the Fans' Choice Award is back this year and fans can vote for their favourite player via an online poll. The winner of the Fans’ Choice Award will be given R30 000 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Springboks Morne Steyn along with Babalwa Latsha, Duane Vermeulen and Damian Willemse will vie for the coverted trophy
Another exciting addition to this year’s nominees is the nomination of two members of the Women’s Springbok team, Lusanda Dumke and Babalwa Latsha. Their inclusion is particularly fitting with the nominees being announced during Women’s Month.
“A huge congratulations to all the nominees who continue to contribute stellar performances during every single rugby game.
"Rugby remains one of the most popular sports in our country, and we are privileged to have a committed partner in BrightRock that makes it possible for the players to have this platform where they can recognise their peers,” says Eugene Henning, Chief Executive Officer of MyPlayers, the professional rugby players’ organisation.
The nominees are:
Forward Player of the Year
Siya Kolisi (Springboks/Sharks)
Franco Mostert (Springboks)
Evan Roos (Western Province)
Eben Etzebeth (Springboks)
Backline Player of the Year
Selvyn Davids (Blitzboks)
Damian de Allende (Springboks)
Edwill van der Merwe (Western Province)
Eduan Keyter (Griquas)
Defender of the Year
Lukhanyo Am (Springboks/Sharks)
Marco van Staden (Springboks/Bulls)
Ruan Nortjé (Bulls)
Branco du Preez (Blitzboks)
Best off the Bench
Trevor Nyakane (Springboks/Bulls)
Malcolm Marx (Springboks)
Vincent Koch (Springboks)
Grant Williams (Sharks)
Most Improved Player
Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)
Evan Roos (Western Province)
Jasper Wiese (Springboks)
Lusanda Dumke (Springbok Women/Border)
Fans’ Choice Award
Babalwa Latsha (Springbok Women)
Duane Vermeulen (Springboks/Bulls)
Damian Willemse (Springboks/Western Province)
Morné Steyn (Springboks/Bulls)
Players’ Player of the Year
Siya Kolisi (Springboks/Sharks)
Damian de Allende (Springboks)
Cheslin Kolbe (Springboks)
Franco Mostert (Springboks)
Eben Etzebeth (Springboks)
Lukhanyo Am (Springboks/Sharks)