SA players reveal who they really rate

NEWS: The finalists for South Africa’s Players’ Player of the Year award have been named.

The award is being voted for and bestowed by professional players in the country.

Since 2005, when John Smit became the first recipient, 16 men’s 15-a-side players have been recognised by their peers as the best among the best.

Yet, one cannot ignore the influence of the Sevens in the careers of some former recipients.

After consultation with the wider player community, it was decided to reduce the number of categories from the past five years, and to only name a Players’ Player of the Year in three categories from this year onwards – recognising the achievements of the BlitzBoks and Women’s players as well.

The MyPlayers Awards 2022 coincides with the end of the current South African rugby season, which includes the 2021/2022 entry into the United Rugby Championship.

Among this year’s nominees for the 15-a-side Players’ Player of the Year are 2018 recipient Malcolm Marx and Lukhanyo Am, who in 2020 and 2021 received the most votes in the now-retired category, Defender of the Year.

THE MYPLAYERS AWARDS 2022 NOMINEES ARE:

Men’s 15-a-side Players’ Player of the Year
Lukhanyo Am
Eben Etzebeth
Malcolm Marx
Evan Roos
Damian Willemse

Men’s Sevens Players’ Player of the Year
Selvyn Davids
Zain Davids
JC Pretorius

Women’s Players’ Player of the Year
Ayanda Malinga
Aphiwe Ngwevu
Nadine Roos
Sizophila Solontsi

Previous recipients of the Players’ Player of the Year award: John Smit (2005), Lucas Floors (2006), Willem de Waal (2007), Jean de Villiers (2008), Morné Steyn (2009), Gio Aplon (2010), Bismarck du Plessis (2011), JP Pietersen (2012), Willie le Roux (2013), Duane Vermeulen (2014), Jaco Kriel (2015), Jean-Luc du Preez (2016), Siyamthanda Kolisi (2017), Malcolm Marx (2018), Pieter-Steph du Toit (2019), Duane Vermeulen (2020), Cheslin Kolbe (2021).