SA Rugby President Mark Alexander congratulated Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Ethan Hooker on their nominations for the 2026 World Rugby Awards.
The Springbok quartet were announced as nominees in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year and World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year categories on Tuesday. The winners will be revealed on Saturday, 22 November.
PSDT LINE IN FOR HISTORIC THIRD CROWN
Du Toit, who 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, was nominated for World Rugby’s most decorated title once again, along with Marx, Nche and France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
This represents the second time Marx has been nominated for the award, as he was also among the nominees in 2018.
Hooker, meanwhile, was nominated as one of four players in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year category, with New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, England’s Henry Pollock and Australian Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
SA RUGBY LAUDS ITS REPRESENTATIVES FOR NOMINATIONS
“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.”
HISTORIC OVERVIEW: SOUTH AFRICA
Other South Africans who received nominations for the Men’s 15s Player of the Year Award in the last 11 years are Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen (both in 2014), Faf de Klerk (2018), and Lukhanyo Am (in 2022).
Apart from Du Toit, only two other South Africans have walked away with top honours, Schalk Burger in 2004, and Bryan Habana in 2007.
World Rugby will also announce its Dream Team of the Year on Tuesday, 25 November.
MEN’S 15S TRY OF THE YEAR
- Santiago Cordero (Argentina, v British and Irish Lions – June)
- Santiago Pedrero (Chile, v Samoa, South America/Pacific Play-off, RWC 2027 qualifier – October)
- Lekima Tagitagivalu (Fiji, v Australia, men’s international – July)
- Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand, v France, men’s international – July)
MEN’S 15S BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- Fabian Holland (New Zealand)
- Ethan Hooker (South Africa)
- Henry Pollock (England)
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Australia)
MEN’S 15S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
- Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
- Ox Nche (South Africa)
