Springbok flank Schalk Burger has been nominated for the 2015 Laureus World Comeback of the Year award.

Burger fought through injuries and life-threatening meningitis to return to the Springbok side in 2014. Having gone to hospital to have a cyst removed from his spinal chord, he developed bacterial meningitis and was moved into intensive care.

'There was a critical stage for nearly five days in which there was a lot of uncertainty. I was in isolation and I was seriously ill, so ill in fact that some people around me thought ‘this is it’.' said Burger.

However, Burger made a remarkable recovery and returned to the Bok squad ahead of the Rugby Championship, before playing a key role for the Boks during the end-of-year tour, where he was named Man of the Match in the victory over England at Twickenham.

Burger will face stiff competition for the award, with Italian footballer Francesco Acerbi, French snowboarder Pierre Vaultier, British long-distance runner Jo Pavey, English golfer Oliver Wilson and Argentinian footballer Diego Milito also in the running.

The winners will be announced on 15 April at the ceremony in Shanghai.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images