Lukhanyo Am nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year

Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am is one of the four finalists for World Rugby’s Player of the Year Award.

Often an underrated member of the Bok team, the nomination caps a stellar year for Am, who was the standout player for the world champions in 2022, until a knee injury cut his season short during the Rugby Championship.

Remarkably, the Eastern Cape-raised centre played just five Test matches this year, the least of the four nominees, but his performances had been on such a level that he, arguably, would’ve had no competition for the accolade but for the injury.

Reigning World Player of the Year Antoine Du Pont of France is also in the running for the prize, along with the Ireland duo of Jonny Sexton and Josh van der Flier.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander commended Am on his nomination.

“Lukhanyo was in superb form for the Springboks before an unfortunate injury cut short his season, and he has cemented his place in our backline over the last few seasons, growing in confidence and playing better every year.” Alexander said

Italy’s Ange Capuozzo, England’s Harry Arundell and Ireland duo Mark Hansen and Dan Sheehan are the nominees for the men’s breakthrough player of the year.

In the women’s categories, Rugby World Cup 2021 winners Portia Woodman and Ruahei Demant are among the nominees, along with Canada skipper Sophie de Goede, England flanker Alex Matthews and France scrumhalf Laure Sansus.

Meanwhile, Springbok Women’s wing Nomawethu Mabenge is nominated in the category for International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year for her effort in the first Test against Spain in Potchefstroom in August.

“On behalf of SA Rugby and South Africa’s passionate rugby fans, we would like to congratulate Lukhanyo and Nomawethu for their nominations this year,” Alexander added

The World Rugby Awards will take place on November 20.