Bok skipper Kolisi wins personality of the year award

London - South Africa's Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi was voted the 2019 Rugby Union Writers' Club personality of the year on Monday.

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Kolisi took the prize following a poll of the RUWC's 200-plus members ahead of their annual dinner in London.

The 28-year-old flanker led South Africa to World Cup glory last year, when England were crushed 32-12 in the final in Japan.

Kolisi, who succeeds Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton as the holder of the Pat Marshall Memorial Award, was appointed as the Springboks' first black Test captain in 2018.

He has presided over a series victory against England and Rugby Championship glory, as well as leading South Africa to their third World Cup.

Kolisi follows in the footsteps of previous greats to have been acclaimed by the RUWC, including Gareth Edwards, Jonah Lomu, Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Carter.

The list of nominees in contention for the 2019 award was dominated by South Africa, with head coach Rassie Erasmus and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk also present, while Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and Japan talisman Michael Leitch completed the line-up.

The winner of the Rugby Union Writers’ Club Pat Marshall award for 2020 goes to @Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.

Huge congratulations to Siya from all at the RUWC. pic.twitter.com/6MzVKsuvpU

— The Rugby Union Writers’ Club (@RUWCOfficial) January 13, 2020