Bok duo up for English gongs
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrumhalves Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach’s brilliance have certainly not gone unnoticed by their English peers.
The pair are on the shortlist of five players for the Rugby Players Association (RPA) Players’ Player of the Year award – regarded as the highest accolade in the English game.
The other nominees include Danny Cipriani, Santiago Cordero and Henry Slade.
Congratulations to @fafdeklerk who has been nominated for @theRPA Players’ Player Of The Year Award! 🏉
Winners will be announced at the RPA’s Awards night next Wednesday!
Good Luck Faf! 🏆 #SharksByName #SharksByNature pic.twitter.com/w7NDtVMUdf
— Sale Sharks🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) May 1, 2019
De Klerk, who currently plies his trade at Sale Sharks, has enjoyed an incredible run of success for club.
His consistent performances have made him the No.1 scrumhalf choice in the Springboks set-up.
Also a World Player of the Year nominee in 2018, the live-wire scrumhalf extended his contract with the Premiership side until to 2023, certainly good news for Sale’s supporters.
“It’s a massive honour to be nominated,” De Klerk said, adding: “There are so many outstanding players in the Premiership and to be up there nominated alongside four incredible guys means a lot.
“I feel extremely blessed.”
Fellow South African Reinach might not be in the international selection mix under current Bok coach Erasmus however his brilliant performance for the Northampton Saints is certainly a reminder to the people back home.
Last year, Reinach beat fellow South African and Springbok De Klerk for the English Premiership Player of the Month for December 2018 and has continued with that amazing form.
The former Sharks player is currently the tournaments leading try scorer (11).
Commenting on his nominee, Reinach said: “I am really humbled and honoured by this special nomination.
“I feel incredibly blessed for the support and I wish the other nominees the very best of luck,”
Yes, @c_reinach 🙌🏼
More recognition for our super scrum-half from @theRPA following a supreme 2018/19
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) May 1, 2019
