BlitzBoks can scoop top award
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South Africa may have lost out on the main prize, but two of their players are in line for a top award in the World Sevens Series.
Despite running out of steam in the final legs of the World Series, the BlitzBoks were recognised for their consistency throughout the 2014/15 season.
Three players were named in the Dream Team and two nominated for the World Sevens Player of the Year award.
Along with automatic qualification for the Olympic Games, the selections provide a silver lining for the BlitzBok camp after they lost out to Fiji in the Series title.
Werner Kok and Seabelo Senatla have been nominated for the for the prestigious Player of the Year award, alongside Fijian Semi Kunatani.
The outstanding trio were voted by the management teams of the 15 core sides who compete at all nine rounds of the World Series.
South Africans also featured prominently in the World Series' Dream Team – with three players being named, the most by any nation.
Werner Kok, Seabelo Senatla and Albertus Smit all find themselves named in the Dream Team.
They are alongside Zach Test (United States), Semi Kunatani (Fiji), Tom Mitchell (England), and Osesa Kolinisau (Fiji)
The winner of the Player of the Year award will be announced at the World Rugby Awards dinner on Sunday, November 1 in London – following the World Cup 2015 Final.
Werner Kok (South Africa) – Having made his debut in London last season, Kok has been instrumental in South Africa’s performances in all nine of the 2014-15 tournaments, most notably in their Cup win on home soil in Port Elizabeth, and as the BlitzBoks became the first side to confirm qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio. Kok ended the season as the leading tackler in the series.
Semi Kunatani (Fiji) – Kunatani has been impressive in both attack and defence for Ben Ryan’s side in all of their Cup titles this season, finishing the season as one of the leading tacklers and try scorers (40). Having made his debut in Dubai last season, the Fijian has earned a contract with French club Toulouse for next season, but coach Ryan will have him available for four series tournaments next season, and the Olympics, should he select him.
Seabelo Senatla (South Africa) – The youngest of the three nominees, Senatla ended the season as the leading try scorer with 47 tries and has scored two of this year’s fans’ favourites, as well as scoring in each of South Africa’s Cup final victories in Dubai and Port Elizabeth. His blistering pace has been one of the talking points of the season, with few able to catch him when he is in full flow.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "This has been the most exciting and closely-fought series to date as we build momentum towards Sevens’ Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016. Once again, through tremendous skill, excitement, we have seen why Sevens is such a hit with fans around the world.
"At the heart of the success story are our players and this year’s nominees have proven once again that we have some exceptionally talented players on the series with each of them fully deserving of a place on the shortlist."
The three players are the first World Rugby Award nominees to be announced in 2015 with all awards being presented at the World Rugby Awards dinner following the World Cup 2015 Final in England.
Previous winners:
2014 – Samisoni Viriviri, Fiji
2013 – Tim Mikkelson, New Zealand
2012 – Tomasi Cama, New Zealand
2011 – Cecil Afrika, South Africa
2010 – Mikaele Pesamino, Samoa
2009 – Ollie Phillips, England
2008 – DJ Forbes, New Zealand
2007 – Afeleke Pelenise, New Zealand
2006 – Uale Mai, Samoa
2005 – Orene Ai'i, New Zealand
2004 – Simon Amor, England
Source: @WorldRugby
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