CAPE TOWN – The newly-crowned Rugby World Champions Springboks were welcomed into the Prince Park Tower venue in Tokyo on Sunday to the beat of the now familiar Japanese Taiko drums.
The team joined second and third placed England and New Zealand, together with former stars of the game and other dignitaries for the annual World Rugby Awards at the downtown Tokyo venue.
The Awards ceremony caps what was a resounding success for Rugby World Cup hosts Japan.
The Springboks as well as several individuals in the team are up for awards this afternoon.
The nominees for World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year are:
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Tom Curry (England)
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Joe Taufete’e (USA).
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year
Joe Cokanasiga (ENG)
Herschel Jantjies (RSA)
Romain Ntamack (FRA)
IRP Try of the Year
Charles Ollivon (FRA)
TJ Perenara (NZL)
Sergio Parisse (ITA)
Cobus Reinach (RSA)
World Rugby Team of the Year
England
Japan
New Zealand
South Africa
Wales
World Rugby Coach of the Year
Rassie Erasmus (RSA)
Warren Gatland (WAL)
Steve Hansen (NZL)
Eddie Jones (ENG)
Jamie Joseph (JPN)
Watch the World Rugby Awards live: