Springbok Quartet Shortlisted for World Rugby Awards

Four Springboks have been nominated for major World Rugby Awards, underscoring South Africa’s dominance in the international game.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, and Ox Nche were all named among the four contenders for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Award, while rising star Ethan Hooker made the shortlist for Breakthrough Player of the Year.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, with the winners to be revealed on Saturday. Du Toit, already a two-time winner of the top men’s award, is again in contention alongside teammate Marx, who earns his second career nomination, and France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Nche’s selection caps a standout season for the Bok front-rower.

Winger Hooker joins New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, England’s Henry Pollock, and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the breakthrough category after a breakout year of his own.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander congratulated the group, saying it was a remarkable achievement to see three of the four Player of the Year nominees come from South Africa. He praised their consistency, influence, and performances throughout the season, adding that the country is proud of their recognition on the global stage.

Only three South Africans have previously won the sport’s top men’s award, with Schalk Burger taking the honour in 2004, Bryan Habana in 2007, and Du Toit in both 2019 and 2023.

Should Du Toit win he will become only the third player to have won the accolade three times. New Zealanders Richie McCaw and Dan Carter each won it three times.