The winners in the annual Players' Choice Awards are decided by their peers – South Africa’s professional rugby players – in a voting process that is facilitated by MyPlayers, the South African professional rugby players’ organisation.

This was the second time (including 2014) that Vermeulen received South Africa’s two most coveted player awards in a single year. He also became the first player to be named SA Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year in the same season, twice.

The other nominees for the main prize were Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs), Cornal Hendricks (Vodacom Bulls) and Curwin Bosch (Cell C Sharks).

Apart from taking the main prize, Vermeulen was also named the Forward of the Year.

Eugene Henning, Chief Executive Officer of MyPlayers, said: “Duane had an amazing season, despite the barriers presented by the pandemic, and his two awards tonight reflect this.

“On behalf of MyPlayers, we would like to congratulate all the winners who contributed to the game and entertained us with the great rugby that they have played this past season."

As the winner of two categories, Vermeulen pledged his total winnings of R10 000 to the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund.

“Assisting those in need is something close to my heart, and I couldn’t think of a better way to assist those in need than donating my total winnings to the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund, which has been rugby’s caring hand for over 40 years," said Vermeulen.

"My donation is a small token of appreciation and an opportunity to thank the Players’ Fund for the pivotal role they play, in caring for the South African’s who suffer life-changing injuries through rugby. Hopefully, my donation can make a change in one person’s life."

Other winners in the BrightRock Players' Choice Awards included Cell C Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am (Defender of the Year), the Emirates / Xerox Lions' nippy scrumhalf Morné van den Berg (Best off the Bench), his hot-stepping team-mate Wandisile Simelane (Backline Player of the Year), and another Lions star in Vincent Tshituka (Most Improved Player).

All nominations were compiled by the MyPlayers Board, their Trustees and player representatives, and the winners of each category were selected by the players. The winner in each category also earns the charity of his choice a R5 000 donation, funded from the players’ collective commercial rights income and managed by MyPlayers.

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks)
Nominees: Jeandré Rudolph (Toyota Cheetahs), Andisa Ntsila (Toyota Cheetahs), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers / WP) 

BEST OFF THE BENCH
Winner: Morné van den Berg (Emirates / Xerox Lions)
Nominees: Thembelani Bholi (Cell C Sharks), Arno Botha (Vodacom Bulls), Sintu Manjezi (Vodacom Bulls)

FORWARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls)
Nominees: Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers / WP), Jeandré Rudolph (Toyota Cheetahs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls)

BACKLINE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Wandisile Simelane (Emirates / Xerox Lions)
Nominees: Cornal Hendricks (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs), Curwin Bosch (Cell C Sharks)

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Winner: Vincent Tshituka (Emirates / Xerox Lions)
Nominees: Stedman Gans (Vodacom Bulls), Tiaan Swanepoel (Emirates / Xerox Lions), Dylan Richardson (Cell C Sharks)

PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls)
Nominees: Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs), Cornal Hendricks (Vodacom Bulls), Curwin Bosch (Cell C Sharks)