Cape Town - Junior Springbok fullback Curwin Bosch has been nominated among five candidates for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship Player of the Tournament, World Rugby announced on Thursday.

He will go up against Ireland No 8 Max Deegan, Japanese wing Ataata Moeakiola, England flyhalf Harry Mallinder, and New Zealand wing Shaun Stevenson for the prestigious award.

Bosch, who was named man of the match in the SA Under-20s’ final pool match against France, is the top points scorer in the international showpiece being hosted in in Manchester, England. He has already amassed 59 points in four matches for the Junior Springboks, from two tries, 14 conversions and seven penalty goals.

Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard was the last South African player to win the award, in 2014, while Springbok centre Jan Serfontein walked away with the spoils in 2012, when the Junior Boks won the tournament on home ground.

Bosch was delighted about the nomination, but said his focus was solely on the team’s bronze playoff match against Argentina at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.

“It is an honour to be nominated among such fantastic players for the Player of the Tournament,” said Bosch, who celebrates his 19th birthday on Saturday.

“It is a special achievement. But my only focus at this point is for our team to secure the bronze medal on Saturday. Argentina are tough opponents and they will give everything, but we plan to do the same.”

World Rugby will announce the Player of the Tournament after the final between hosts, England, and Ireland at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday night.