Jacques Burger is the inaugural winner of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month award.

The Saracens back row was picked for September by a panel made up of rugby media representatives from print, TV, radio and the photographers, who all watch Aviva Premiership Rugby on a week in, week out basis.

Rugby World editor Paul Morgan, who chairs the panel, commented: “Saracens openside flanker Burger was the clear winner in the voting. Jacques has become the heartbeat of the Saracens side.”

“The guy has a blatant disregard for his own health and has only just about kept his good looks! Like Neil Back when he was in his pomp, the ball seems to follow Burger around the pitch. The rest of Aviva Premiership Rugby have a tough act to follow.”

The Namibian has established himself as one of the ‘must see’ players in the league since he joined the North London club half way through last season. His bruising and high octane performances have helped take his club to third place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table so far this term.

Burger commented: “It’s an honour to receive this award, but it’s been a team effort that has seen us win four out of our opening five games ahead of what we hope is going to be an exciting season for the club. There is something special happening at Saracens and I’m delighted to be part of it.”

Director of Rugby at Saracens, Brendan Venter, said: “Jacques has had an excellent start to the season and his high level of performance has been a constant in the opening five rounds of Aviva Premiership Rugby. His team work, honesty, work rate and humility sum up everything that Saracens is about.”

Heather Smith, Head of Sponsorship for Premiership Rugby sponsors’ Aviva added: “This award recognises the huge contribution Jacques has made to his team’s successful start to this season’s Aviva Premiership Rugby.  He is an amazing athlete, has an incredible amount of energy and has covered every blade of grass during the matches in September, so is a very worthy winner.”