Four Springboks have been named among the world’s rugby elite, earning nominations for the prestigious World Rugby Awards and reminding us yet again why South Africa’s green and gold shines brightest on the global stage.
South Africa (18 November 2024) – South Africans are no strangers to making waves on the world stage, and once again, the Springboks have shown why they’re a force to be reckoned with. Four of our nation’s rugby heroes have been nominated for the prestigious World Rugby Awards, celebrating their stellar performances during the 2024 season.
The announcement was made on Monday, with the Awards set to take place in Monaco on Sunday, 24 November, right after the conclusion of the November internationals. The event promises to be a glittering celebration of rugby excellence, and South Africa is front and centre.
South Africa’s most-capped player, Eben Etzebeth, headlines the nominees for Men’s 15s Player of the Year, alongside Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit. These names aren’t just familiar to South Africans—they’re revered across the rugby world. Etzebeth, who shattered Victor Matfield’s record of 127 Test matches earlier this year, has proven himself to be an unstoppable force.
Kolbe’s electrifying pace and Du Toit’s versatility continue to set the rugby field alight, with both adding to their long list of accolades. They join Irish star Caelan Doris in the running for the award, which has only been won by a handful of South Africans in the past.
Meanwhile, young Bok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been nominated for Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, marking his meteoric rise on the international stage. Despite a knee injury cutting short his season, his impact was undeniable, and his nomination underscores his immense talent.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander was effusive in his praise for the nominees:
“Having Springboks players feature in two categories is a reflection of their hard work and dedication to the team and South Africa, and we are very proud of them,” he said.
“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.”
Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus echoed these sentiments, “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.”
This isn’t the first time South African players have received global recognition. Previous winners include Schalk Burger (2004) and Bryan Habana (2007), with Pieter-Steph du Toit adding his name to the list in 2019. Other notable nominees in recent years include Faf de Klerk, Malcolm Marx, and Lukhanyo Am.
The consistency of South African representation in these awards is a powerful reminder of the talent and determination that defines the Springboks. It’s not just about rugby—it’s about inspiring a nation and showing the world what South Africans can achieve.
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