Why Marx is not a sure thing for SA's top honour

SOUTH African rugby's annual awards season always sparks lively debate, but this year’s race for SA Rugby Player of the Year feels especially spicy.

- LEIGHTON KOΟΡΜΑΝ

The shortlist isn’t official yet, with nominations opening for the media this week, but if we're being honest, there's a clear cluster of contenders who've shaped the Springboks’ season: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nché, André Esterhuizen, Cobus Reinach and flyhalf bolter Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Marx is the obvious headliner. Being crowned World Rugby Player of the Year is no small feat — it’s the sport’s highest individual prize and a hat tip to just how brilliantly consistent he’s been.

How he reestablished himself as the Boks’ premier hooker and kept that form going in tough Test matches deserves the plaudits.