Will Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am join this illustrious list of former World Rugby Player of the Year winners? Photo: SA Rugby website
World Rugby Player of the Year: EVERY winner to date
Will Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am join this illustrious list of former World Rugby Player of the Year winners?
Will Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am join this illustrious list of former World Rugby Player of the Year winners? Photo: SA Rugby website
Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am and Springbok Women wing Nomawethu Mabenge on their nominations in the annual World Rugby Awards.
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The nominations were announced on Monday on World Rugby’s social media channels, and the winners will be announced on Sunday evening.
Am was named as one of the nominees for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, while Mabenge was nominated in the category for International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year for her score in the first Test against Spain in Potchefstroom on 19 August.
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Along with Am, the other nominees in the Player of the Year category are last year’s winner, Antoine Dupont of France, and the Ireland duo of Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier.
Sylvia Blunt (NZ), Abby Dow (England), Emily Chancellor (Australia) and Linda Djougang (Ireland) were nominated for Women’s Try of the Year with Mabenge, who scored five tries in seven Tests this year, including South Africa’s first five-pointer against France in their Rugby World Cup opener.
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“On behalf of SA Rugby and South Africa’s passionate rugby fans, we would like to congratulate Lukhanyo and Nomawethu for their nominations this year,” said Alexander.
“Only the best of the best are nominated for World Rugby awards and to be part of these selected groups is a superb achievement, we are very proud of them.
“Lukhanyo was in superb form for the Springboks before an unfortunate injury cut short his season, and he has cemented his place in our backline over the last few seasons, growing in confidence and playing better every year.
“On her part, Nomawethu has developed into a brilliant wing who knows her way to the tryline, scoring five tries this season, but the try against Spain stood out as it was a wonderful team effort, finished by one of our speedsters.”
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Fans can vote for their favourite try of the year by clicking here, until Thursday, 17 November at 23:59 (GMT).
The awards ceremony will take place in Monaco on Sunday, 20 November.
WORLD RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2001 – Keith Wood (Ireland)
2002 – Fabien Galthie (France)
2003 – Jonny Wilkinson (England)
2004 – Schalk Burger (South Africa)
2005 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2006 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2007 – Bryan Habana (South Africa)
2008 – Shane Williams (Wales)
2009 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2010 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2011 – Thierry Dusautoir (France)
2012 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2013 – Kieran Read (New Zealand)
2014 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
2015 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2016 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
2017 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
2018 – Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
2019 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
2020 – Not awarded
2021 – Antoine Dupont (France)
2022 – ?
