Yahoo News Pat Lam backs Benhard Janse van Rensburg for more awards after the centre is crowned Premiership player of the month
Pat Lam has backed Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg to be named the Gallagher Premiership player of the season after the South African was crowned the league's April Player of the Month.
Janse van Rensburg beat Saracens duo Owen Farrell and Tom Parton, and Harlequins full-back Tyrone Green to the award in the public vote last month after starring in big wins over Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers in April having also been nominated for the monthly award in March.
The 27-year-old, who joined Bristol Bears from London Irish following the club's financial collapse last summer, becomes the sixth recipient of the Gallagher Player of the Month award for the 2023/24 season, breaking the run of three consecutive player awards for league leaders Northampton Saints.
The reigning Gallagher Premiership player of the season is Bath center Ollie Lawrence, who like Janse van Rensburg bounced back from seeing his club Worcester go under to shine in a different jersey.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: "You could say he is player of the month or you could say he is player of the season, the guy's been consistent, a model of consistency. He puts his body on the line on both sides of the ball every week and is a good team man. It is thoroughly, thoroughly deserved."
2023/24 Gallagher Premiership Player of the month awards:
October – Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
November – Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
December – Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
January – Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
March – Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
The shortlist was voted for by a panel of media professionals.
The judges for the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season are: Ali Eykyn (TNT Sports), Ugo Monye (BBC, TNT Sports), Jill Douglas (ITV, BBC), Ashleigh Wilmot (Eurosport, TNT Sports), Rugby Inside Line, Alex Lowe (The Times), Hugh Godwin (i), Nick Mullins (TNT Sports) and Chris Jones (BBC).
