Rugby World Champions South Africa and courageous disabled swimmer Natalie du Toit have expressed their delight at being nominated for the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards.

The Springboks were named International Rugby Board Team of the Year in 2009, and they have now been short-listed for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, while Natalie du Toit, who is breaking down the barriers between disabled and able-bodied sport, is nominated for Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the period January 1 - December 31, 2009, are recognised as the premier honours on the international sporting calendar. The winners, as voted by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 46 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time, will be unveiled during a televised Awards Ceremony staged in Abu Dhabi on March 10, 2010.

Speaking at a special Laureus Nominations event in Cape Town, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said: “It is fantastic for the Springboks to be nominated for the second time in three years. This is due recognition to the efforts of many people, most importantly the players, who have embraced excellence and who are prepared to put their bodies on the line for their country and their fellow South Africans." Also present were Springbok star players Schalk Burger and Bryan Habana.

The year began for the Springboks with a closely-fought 2–1 series win over the British and Irish Lions, which they followed with a convincing win in the Tri Nations Series, beating the All Blacks twice and losing only to Australia in Brisbane. Those performances took them to No 1 in the IRB rankings. South Africa will be bidding for a Laureus double after receiving the 2008 Laureus Team Award following their Rugby World Cup win in France in 2007.

Springbok captain John Smit, who was not able to be at the event, said: “The Laureus Nomination confirms that the Springboks have been able to take their game up a level since winning the World Cup in 2007. This continued success hinges on the vision of the coaching staff who have met the challenge of inheriting the World Champions, as well as the players, old and new, who have dedicated themselves to ensuring that the Springboks will consistently be a force to be reckoned with."