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David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
By Liam Heagney
Legendary Wallabies winger David Campese has predicted which of the three nominated Springboks will win the World Rugby men’s player of the year award this Sunday. South African trio Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit have been included on the four-strong shortlist completed by Ireland’s Caelan Doris.
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It’s the second year in succession and the third time in his career that Etzebeth has been a nominee and Campese believe the lock will be named winner when the announcement is made this weekend in Monaco.
First introduced in 2001, when Ireland’s Keith Wood was the winner, there have been just three previous South African winners – Schalk Burger in 2007, Bryan Habana in 2007 and du Toit in 2019.
Speaking to Vision4Sport, who offer hospitality packages for rugby’s most iconic events, Campese said about the player of the year award shortlist: “That just shows how dominant South Africa are in the game.
“The player of the year has got to come from the best team. They are by far the best in the world. So good that they could put out five teams which could hold their own against anyone.
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“To my mind it has to be Etzebeth. As a forward in the middle of the scrum to do what he does week in week out is phenomenal.”
Campese did have a word of praise for Etzebeth’s fellow nominee, Kolbe. “What a player, what a great player. He is just getting better. He is a great entertainer and the best thing about him is that he is not 120 kilograms! He provides such flair and excitement.
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“It means young kids can look at him and realise that they too could still play rugby. That’s what is most inspiring about him, the impact he has on the next generation.”
Next up for the Springboks are winless Wales, who suffered a record 11th successive Test loss last weekend. Campese suggested a hammering is in store while he also criticised the Welsh Rugby Union for their handling of the situation.
“It could be a horror show. The Springboks could easily put another 50 points on them and batter them. It is not going to be pretty,” he feared. “Warren Gatland made clear he was going to start again when he came in and wipe the slate clean. The WRU board should come out and say, ‘We support you’.
“They bought into his vision when he started again for a second time. He told them he would have to rebuild and everyone knows it takes time. But the WRU is sitting in silence. They can’t sit on the fence. They have to back him.
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“Who knows who would replace Gatland. That’s the same problem as Australia had. They haven’t got any coaches. There is no succession plan. Where are the new Welsh coaches? Is Sam Warburton the answer? Who knows.”