WORLD RUGBY AWARDS: Springbok trio up for main gong

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Four Springboks received recognition for their impressive and consistent performances during the 2024 season after being nominated for the World Rugby Awards.

World Rugby announced the shortlists on Monday.

The Awards will be hosted in Monaco on Sunday, November 24, after the conclusion of the November internationals.

Nominated for the prestigious Men’s 15s Player of the Year are South Africa’s most capped player of all time, Eben Etzebeth – who broke fellow lock Victor Matfield’s record of 127 Test matches in September – Cheslin Kolbe (wing) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), a former winner of the award. The Bok trio are up against Caelan Doris of Ireland.

Bok flyhalf Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu, who made a strong statement in his first foray into the Test team before a knee injury cut short his season, was nominated along with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England), Jamie Osborne (Ireland) and Wallace Sititi (New Zealand) for the Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

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SA Rugby president Mark Alexander congratulated all the players for being nominated for the world’s most prestigious awards.

“Having Springboks players feature in two categories is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the team and South Africa, and we are very proud of them,” said Alexander.

“Each one of the Springbok players has shone out this season, and given the quality of the Springbok squad Rassie Erasmus has been building, I’m sure many more players could have been nominated.

“They all deserve this recognition, and we wish them luck for the awards ceremony in Monaco.”

Erasmus was equally proud of the nominated Bok players and said: “Congratulations to the players for being nominated and making their mark on the biggest stage in rugby this season. Making their nominations even more remarkable is that most of them have won two Rugby World Cup titles already and that they have continued to deliver the high standards we expect at the Springboks over several years.

“Over and above that, we have used 50 players in our Tests so far this season, and to see them shine among the best players in the world is fantastic. We are extremely proud of them, and we wish them luck when the winners are revealed.”

Etzebeth was nominated in 2013 and last year, while Kolbe and Du Toit were on the shortlist in 2019, the year the versatile Bok forward won the award. Only two other South Africans have walked away with top honours – Schalk Burger in 2004, and Bryan Habana in 2009.

Other South Africans who received nominations for the Men’s 15s Player of the Year Award in the last decade, are Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen (both in 2014), Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx (both in 2018), and Lukhanyo Am (2022).

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year

• Caelan Doris (IRE)
• Eben Etzebeth (RSA)
• Pieter-Steph du Toit (RSA)
• Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)

World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year

• Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (RSA)
• Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (ENG)
• Jamie Osborne (IRE)
• Wallace Sititi (NZL)

International Rugby Players Men’s 15s Try of the Year

• James Lowe (Ireland v England, Men’s Six Nations, 10 March)
• Lorenzo Pani (Italy v Wales, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)
• Nolann Le Garrec (France v England, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)
• Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia v Australia, July Internationals, 20 July)

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC

• Antoine Dupont (FRA)
• Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (FRA)
• Terry Kennedy (IRE)

World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year

• Caitlyn Halse (AUS)
• Maddie Feaunati (ENG)
• Erin King (IRE)
• Hannah King (NZL)

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year

• Pauline Bourdon Sansus (FRA)
• Ellie Kildunne (ENG)
• Alex Matthews (ENG)
• Alex Tessier (CAN)

International Rugby Players Women’s 15s Try of the Year

• Alyssa D’Incà (Italy v Scotland, Women’s Six Nations, 20 April)
• Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand v Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May)
• Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September)
• Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC

• Michaela Blyde (NZL)
• Maddison Levi (AUS)
• Jorja Miller (NZL)

Other categories with winners announced on November 24

• International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
• World Rugby Coach of the Year
• World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
• World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
• World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year in partnership with HSBC
• World Rugby Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year in partnership with HSBC