Marx wins World Rugby’s Top Honour as Springboks Dominate Awards

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx has been crowned World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, becoming the fourth South African to win the sport’s highest individual honour and securing a landmark back-to-back triumph for the world champions.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, last year’s winner and a two-time recipient, was also among the finalists, alongside fellow Bok Ox Nche.

Marx’s award caps a standout season in which the 31-year-old reasserted himself as one of the world’s most complete forwards, influential in the lineout, dominant at the breakdown, and consistently effective in open play. It is his first win after a previous nomination in 2018 and places him in the company of Du Toit, Bryan Habana, and Schalk Burger as South African recipients of the title.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander called the honour fitting recognition for a player defined by resilience and relentless work ethic. He said the trio of South African nominees for the main award, plus Ethan Hooker’s nomination for Breakthrough Player of the Year, underlines the depth of the squad under coach Rassie Erasmus.

South Africa’s strong showing continues a long tradition of finalists stretching from Joe van Niekerk and Marius Joubert to modern stars such as Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, and Lukhanyo Am. The latest accolades reinforce the Springboks’ position at the peak of the world game after consecutive World Cup triumphs and further international recognition for their standout performers.