Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit has etched his name into rugby history by becoming the first South African to be named World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Player of the Year twice. The 32-year-old, who previously won the prestigious award in 2019, secured the honor once again at the World Rugby Awards ceremony in Monaco last night.
Du Toit was nominated alongside his Springbok teammates Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, and Ireland’s Caelan Doris. In addition to his individual accolade, Du Toit was named to the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team for 2024, alongside six other South Africans. Etzebeth, Kolbe, prop Ox Nche, hooker Malcolm Marx, and centre pairing Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriek also made the Dream Team cut.
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander praised the achievements of all the players, emphasizing the exceptional year the Springboks had. With an impressive 84.6% win record, the team triumphed in the Rugby Championship, Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate, Freedom Cup, and secured the Prince William Cup after defeating Wales on Saturday.
Du Toit joins Schalk Burger (2004) and Bryan Habana (2007) as the only South Africans to claim the World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year award.