It’s true that the SARU shortlist is as boring as ever with Schalk Burger, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Francois Hougaard and Gurthro Steenkamp the other members of the five player shortlist. However what is interesting is that Keegan Daniel is the only non-Springbok on the list which surely must send a message to PDV and his men that they have ignorantly overlooked the obvious talent he has.

Given the Springboks' woeful season, the individual brilliance of Aplon, De Jongh and Hougaard made them certainties for the vote, while Burger's resurgence and consistency over the season has been impressive. Steenkamp is arguably the most improved player in local rugby.

Where the nominations are interesting is among the names of the Currie Cup player of the year nominees. Out of the five, all but Sharks flank Daniel have been included in the 39-man Bok training squad. Daniel is hugely unlucky not to have received at least some recognition for his efforts.

He's been exceptional for the Sharks and is one of the chief reasons they are in the Currie Cup final. His flexibility, high work rate, skill at stealing the ball on the ground and defensive potency have made him a vital component in the Sharks machinery.

Coach John Plumtree forecasted that Daniel would be overlooked for a 39-man squad. "He definitely deserves to go, but knowing the conservative nature of selection in this country he probably won't," Plumtree said after his side beat the Bulls 16-12 in the Currie Cup semifinal.

Plumtree was correct. Hours later, one of the five best players of the Currie Cup as voted by the media and public, was absent from the training party.

Daniel's trouble is that he's working in positions where the Boks don't lack quality. It's hard to see how he would force his way into a Test side containing Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter and Ryan Kankowski even when he outplays them week in and week out!