The Springboks have taken out the Laureus Sports Team of the Year at the annual international awards but former Brumbies skipper Christian Lealiifano has missed out on a nod.
South Africa beat out the US women's soccer team, Liverpool FC, Spain's world Cup winning basketball side, the NBA's Toronto Raptors and the Mercedes AMG F1 team to take out the prestigious award.
It comes off the back of the impact their World Cup win had on the broader community in South Africa.
Wallabies and Brumbies 10 Lealiifano was nominated for the Laureus comeback of the year award after playing at the Rugby World Cup three years after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
Motor racing driver Sophia Florsch won the award, returning to racing after a car crash that led to a marathon spinal surgery and fears that she would be left with paralysis.
It doesn't seem like Lealiifano will be too disappointed with the result, simply grateful to be healthy and living life with his family.
"You feel like you have won already,” Lealiifano told RUGBY.com.au earlier this month.
"You probably shouldn’t get an award for being recognised for being healthy and alive. I have been given the gift of life already.”
Japan's men's XVs side also missed out on collecting the prize for Breakthrough of the Year for their World Cup quarter-final berth, losing out to cyclist Egan Bernal
WINNERS
Laureus Sports Awards
List of winners
Sportsman of the Year
Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi
Sportswoman of the Year
Simone Biles
Team of the Year
South Africa Men's Rugby Team
Breakthrough of the Year
Egan Bernal
Comeback of the Year
Sophia Floersch
Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Oksana Masters
Action Sportsperson of the Year
Chloe Kim
Best Sporting Moment
'Carried on the shoulders of a nation' – Sachin Tendulkar
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dirk Nowitzki
Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award
Spanish Basketball Federation
Laureus Sport for Good Award
South Bronx United
