SA Rugby
Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit has cemented his place in history by becoming the first South African to be named the World Men's 15s Player of the Year for a second time.
SA Rugby said six of his national team-mates were also included in the World Rugby Men's 15s Dream Team for 2024 at the glittering awards ceremony in Monaco on Sunday evening.
In a statement, SA Rugby said the 32-year-old Du Toit, who also earned the world’s most prestigious player award in 2019, was nominated in the category along with Bok speedster Cheslin Kolbe and the most capped Springbok of all time, lock Eben Etzebeth, as well as Ireland’s Caelan Doris.
Seven Springbok Rugby World Cup winners were named in the 2024 Dream Team – the trio of Du Toit, Etzebeth and Kolbe were joined in the side by Ox Nche (prop), Malcolm Marx (hooker), and the centre pairing of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel – which capped off a rewarding evening for the top ranked side on the world.
The glittering event also highlighted other South African contributions to global rugby. Selvyn Davids, captain of the Blitzboks, earned a spot in the Men’s Sevens Dream Team, while SA Rugby won the Rugby for All Award, which celebrates impactful initiatives that uphold rugby’s core values.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander lauded all the players for being honoured in such a remarkable year for the Boks.
The national rugby team registered an 84,6% win record after claiming the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title as well as the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate, Freedom Cup, and Prince William Cup (against Wales), and said this was a just reward for their fine efforts on the field this season.
For a second time, Pieter-Steph du Toit is the World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year...and he is one of seven #Springboks in the Dream Team for 2024 ????????#ForeverGreenForeverGold #WorldRugbyAwards
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 24, 2024
