Two South Africans have been shortlisted for the 2015 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Award, in association with HSBC.

South Africas Werner Kok and Seabelo Senatla will join Fijian sevens player Semi Kunatani as the three candidates vying for the top award that recognises the best performer over the nine rounds of the 2014-15 HSBC Sevens World Series during the course of the year.

The announcement was made following the final round which took place in London, and was determined via the voting system which involved the nod from management teams of the 15 core sides who took part in all nine rounds of the World Series.

The Official Nomination Video Can Be Seen Below (Courtesy of World Rugby)

The positive news from Senatla and Kok comes off the heels of them being named in the Series Dream Team, and the two South Africans sevens stars were humbled by the nomination.

Senatla spoke about his nomination, but chose to focus on the team aspect and address his disappointment at not winning the series with South Africa.

“It would have been more special had the team achieved the series win, because that is what it was all about. The team was solid all year and my personal achievements come from the team. The credit should go to them and our management,” said Senatla, according to SuperSport.

Kok added to what Senatla had said, explaining that his team allowed him to play to the best of his abilities.

“They were there all the way and brought the energy and effort and that made me the best player I could be. It is still a great honour for me,” Kok said.

Both players earned their nominations thanks to their hard work and accomplishments on an individual level, with Kok scoring 23 tries and cementing his place as the leading tackler of all players this year, while Senatla was the leading try scorer with 47 tries, playing a key part in both of South Africa’s Cup final triumphs at home in Port Elizabeth and in Dubai.

A South African has won this award once in the past, with Cecil Afrika earning the accolade back in 2011.

Fans of the sevens game will need to be patient before a winner is announced, however, as this will only happen on November 1 at the World Rugby Awards dinner to be held at Battersea Evolution in London following the Rugby World Cup 2015 final.