Rugby World Cup 2019: South Africa stars lead the way in Player of the Year nominations

Rugby World Cup finalists South Africa and England are represented in nominations for World Rugby’s Player of the Year award.

With the shortlists for the Coach of the Year and Team of the Year awards having been announced on Thursday, World Rugby revealed the six nominees for the individual men’s award on Friday.

South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe – who has overcome an injury to feature in Rassie Erasmus’ line-up for Saturday’s final – are the two Springboks up for the accolade.

Tom Curry is England’s sole representative, with the 21-year-old having started in 13 of 14 Tests for Eddie Jones’ side this year.

Six players have been nominated for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year 2019, in association with @Mastercard

Pieter-Steph Du Toit RSA@AlunWynJones WAL @Cheslin_Kolbe11 RSA@ardiesavea NZL@taufetee USA@TomCurry98 ENG

Who are you supporting? #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/u0cixJ2MOZ

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 1, 2019

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones – his country’s most-capped player – is also included, as is New Zealand star Ardie Savea.

The final spot is taken by Joe Taufete’e of the United States, who became the most prolific try scorer in front-row history when he went over for a hat-trick against Uruguay.

Ireland’s Johnny Sexton won the 2018 award, having ended Beauden Barrett’s two-year spell as the world’s best player.

Like the Coach and Team of the Year awards, the winner of the Player of the Year accolade will be confirmed on Sunday in Tokyo.

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