Four Springboks are on the shortlist in two flagship categories of the World Rugby Awards.
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander, praised the recognition on Tuesday, after three Springboks were shortlisted for Men’s 15s Player of the Year and another was included among the four contenders for Breakthrough Player of the Year. The winners will be confirmed on Saturday, 22 November.
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Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche are in the running for the sport’s highest individual award. Ethan Hooker has been included in the Breakthrough award shortlist alongside New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, England’s Henry Pollock and Australia’s Joseph Suaalii. Du Toit last year became the first South African in history to win the World Men’s 15s Player of the Year Award twice, after also walking away with the title in 2019.
“I’d like to congratulate Pieter-Steph, Malcolm, Ox and Ethan for being recognised among the best players in the world,” said Alexander.
“To have three of the four nominees for Men’s 15s Player of the Year from South Africa, as well as Ethan in the Breakthrough category, is a testament to the quality of our players on the global stage.
“They have all performed exceptionally well this season and deserve this recognition. On behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country, I want to express how proud we are of them.
“We wish them well ahead of Saturday’s announcement. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated is already a remarkable achievement.”
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South Africa boasts a strong history in the flagship award, with previous nominees including Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen (2014), Faf de Klerk (2018) and Lukhanyo Am (2022). Du Toit, Schalk Burger (2004) and Bryan Habana (2007) have claimed the title.
World Rugby will also unveil its Dream Team of the Year on Tuesday, 25 November.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
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