Junior Springbok fullback Curwin Bosch was nominated on Thursday, along with four other players, for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship Player of the Tournament award.
Junior Springbok fullback Curwin Bosch was nominated on Thursday, along with four other players, for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship Player of the Tournament award.
Ireland No 8 Max Deegan, Japanese wing Ataata Moeakiola, England flyhalf Harry Mallinder, and New Zealand wing Shaun Stevenson, will compete against Bosch for the crown.
Bosch, who was named Man-of-the-Match in the SA U20s’ final pool match against France, is the top points scorer in the tournament – which is being hosted in Manchester, England.
He has scored 59 points from four games – through two tries, 14 conversions, and seven penalty goals.
Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard was the last South African player to win the award, in 2014, while Springbok centre Jan Serfontein claimed the prize in 2012, when the Junior Boks won the tournament on home soil.
“It is an honour to be nominated among such fantastic players for the Player of the Tournament,” said Bosch, who will turn 19 on Saturday.
However, he has now turned his attention to Saturday's 3rd/4th place clash with Argentina.
“It is a special achievement, but my only focus at this point is for our team to secure the bronze medal on Saturday. Argentina are tough opponents and they will give everything, but we plan to do the same.”
World Rugby will announce the Player of the Tournament after Saturday night's final between England and Ireland at the AJ Bell Stadium.