Sale’s Faf de Klerk and Northampton’s Cobus Reinach have been nominated for the RPA Player’s Player of the Year award.

The Rugby Players Association (RPA) confirmed that both South African scrumhalves, who are currently playing their rugby in the English Premiership, have been nominated for the prestigious award.

‘The RPA recognises the outstanding player of the domestic season as voted for by the players. It is the highest accolade in the English game,’ the official RPA statement read.

De Klerk, the Springboks’ first-choice scrumhalf, and Reinach, formerly of the Sharks, were thrilled with the nomination.

‘It’s a massive honour to be nominated,’ said De Klerk. ‘There are so many outstanding players in the Premiership, and to be up there nominated alongside four incredible guys means a lot. I feel extremely blessed.’

Reinach played his last Test for the Boks in 2015, but he may yet feature at the World Cup this year.

‘I am really humbled and honoured by this special nomination,’ Reinach said. ‘I feel incredibly blessed for the support and I wish the other nominees the very best of luck.’

The winner of the award will be confirmed at the RPA prizegiving on 8 May. Danny Cipriani (Gloucester), Santiago Cordero (Exeter) and Henry Slade (Exeter) are the others who have been nominated.

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