There are no props on this year’s shortlist for men’s player of the year. You might remember how well Ox Nché has played for the Springboks and quite justifiably find this to be a bit of an surprise,

In a year where coach Rassie Erasmus has rotated heavily, loosehead Ox Nche was a constant figure in the Springboks’ matchday squads.

The current state of rugby is probably at its most exciting with competition tighter than it has been in years. World Rugby has announced their final list %%

No prop has ever won World Rugby’s Men’s Player of the Year award and Nche has failed to make a four-player shortlist

Nominated for Men’s 15s Player of the Year are Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu was nominated for Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

The World Rugby Awards nominations were released on Monday, with three Springboks nominated in the men's Player of the Year category.