Springboks dominate Rugby Union Writers’ Club award nominations

As would have been expected The Rugby Union Writers’ Club have nominated plenty of Springboks for their annual awards.

Inspirational skipper Siya Kolisi and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk have been nominated for the Rugby Union Writers’ Club personality of the year for 2019.

Rassie Erasmus (L), head coach of South Africa, South Africa’s Springboks rugby captain Siya Kolisi (R) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (C), hold the Web Ellis Trophy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on November 7, 2019. – The visit by the national team signifies the start of the Rugby World Champion’ National Trophy Tour that will see the Cup being paraded in Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

Springboks up for more awards

The Springboks capped a fine 2019 with a 32-12 victory over England in the Rugby World Cup Final in Yokohama, lifting the Web Ellis Cup for a record-equalling third time. Earlier in the year the Boks won an abbreviated Rugby Championship, their first title in the competition since the addition of Argentina.

The Springboks won the team of the year at the World Rugby Awards in November 2019 with flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit honoured with the Player of the year award and Rassie Erasmus scooping the coach of the year gong.

Erasmus has also been nominated for the Personality of the year award by the Rugby Union Writers’ Club.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and Japan talismanic skipper Michael Leitch complete the five-strong list.

Leitch skippered Japan to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals in front of fervent home supporters at the 2019 showpiece and has been a tremendous servant of the game in the emerging rugby power.

Jones is Wales most-capped player and one of the best leaders in the modern game. He led the Dragons to the Grand Slam in 2019 and fourth at the Rugby World Cup.

The Pat Marshall Memorial award will be presented to the Rugby Personality of the year at a gala dinner in London later this month.

The personality of the year for 2018 was Johnny Sexton, the Ireland and Lions fly-half, while previous winners include Owen Farrell, Eddie Jones, Dan Carter and Emily Scarratt, and the first recipient was Mervyn Davies the legendary Wales number eight who was honoured back in 1976

Photo: Springboks / Twitter

Who are the Rugby Union Writers’ Club?

According to the Sports Journalists’ Association “The Rugby Union Writers’ Club was conceived during a discussion at the Cock Tavern, Fleet Street, between the late Terry O’Connor (Daily Mail), John Reed (Sunday Express), Fred Garside (Hayters Agency) and John Reason (Sunday Telegraph), and the club was formed at a meeting in the Albany public house, Station Yard, Twickenham, on 16 January 1960.

“Membership is open to all writers, photographers and broadcasters actively involved in rugby union journalism, and while it is a UK-based organisation, there are members around the world.”