Four Springboks shine on the global stage with nominations for Player and Breakthrough awards at the 2025 World Rugby Awards.
South Africa (19 November 2025) – South African rugby continues to make its mark globally as three Springbok powerhouses have been nominated for the prestigious World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Award. Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche are 3 out of the four in this category. The winners will be announced on Saturday, 22 November, and South Africa will be watching with pride.
Leading the trio is Pieter-Steph du Toit, who stands on the brink of history once again. Having already become the first South African to win the award twice (in 2019 and again in 2024), he now has the chance to add a third crown to his name. His consistency and leadership have made him one of the most respected figures in world rugby.
Malcolm Marx returns to the nominee list for the second time, after his strong showing in 2018 put him among the best in the world. His physicality at the breakdown and ability to turn pressure into opportunity continue to define South Africa’s forward dominance.
Completing the trio is Ox Nche. Mr Salads Don’t Win Scrums, a fan favourite and scrummaging specialist, has increasingly become one of the most influential props in international rugby. His nomination underlines the calibre of South Africa’s forward pack and the impact he has made on the world stage.
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But the good news does not end there! Ethan Hooker has been nominated for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year category. Joining nominees from New Zealand, England and Australia, his rapid rise reflects the next generation of talent coming through the Springbok system.
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World Rugby will also reveal the Dream Team of the Year on Tuesday, 25 November, where more South African names could feature.
SA Rugby President, Mr Mark Alexander, praised the players, saying:
“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.”
With seasoned champions leading the way and exciting newcomers breaking through, South African rugby continues to show its influence.
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Sources: SA Rugby
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