The only South Africa player nominated for an accolade is the outside centre, Lukhanyo Am, who was short-listed for the Men’s Try of the Year award. Am received the nomination for his try against the British & Irish Lions in July.

The Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, was heavily tipped to be short-listed for men’s Player of the Year award.

No New Zealander has been nominated for the top award either. It’s the first time since the inception of the awards in 2001 that a South African or New Zealander hasn’t been short-listed.

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year (fan vote)

Antoine Dupont (France)

Michael Hooper (Australia)

Maro Itoje (England/British and Irish Lions)

Samu Kerevi (Australia)

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year (fan vote)

Zoe Aldcroft (England)

Caroline Boujard (France)

Poppy Cleall (England)

Laure Sansus (France)

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year (panel vote)

Will Jordan (New Zealand)

Andrew Kellaway (Australia)

Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

Marcus Smith (England)

World Rugby Coach of the Year (panel vote)

Allan Bunting/Cory Sweeney (New Zealand Women’s Sevens)

Ian Foster (New Zealand Men)

Simon Middleton (England Women)

Dave Rennie (Australia Men)

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year (fan vote)

Napolioni Bolaca (Fiji)

Scott Curry (New Zealand)

Marcos Moneta (Argentina)

Jiuta Wainiqolo (Fiji)

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC (fan vote)

Anne-Cécile Ciofani (France)

Sarah Hirini (New Zealand)

Alowesi Nakoci (Fiji)

Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)

International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year (fan vote)

Lukhanyo Am (South Africa A, v British and Irish Lions on 14 July)

Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on 17 July)

Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on 12 September)

Damian Penaud (France, v Scotland on 26 March)

International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year (fan vote)

Sara Barattin (Italy, v Scotland on 13 September)Emilie Boulard (France, v Wales on 3 April)

Abby Dow (England, v France on 30 April)

Romane Ménager (France, v Ireland on 17 April)

Morgan Piek OFM Sport