Springboks star Pieter-Steph du Toit has been awarded the title of World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year for the second time, overcoming competition from fellow South Africans Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth, as well as Ireland’s captain Caelan Doris.
In 2024, du Toit made 10 appearances for the Springboks, playing a pivotal role in Rassie Erasmus’ team as they secured their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 and completed an unbeaten tour of the Northern Hemisphere this month. With this latest accolade, du Toit becomes only the fourth player in history to win the award twice, joining legends Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and Beauden Barrett. He is also the first Springbok to receive the honor since his initial win in 2019, when he contributed to the team’s World Cup victory.
This year marks the third consecutive year in which a back-row player has claimed the award, following Ardie Savea’s win in 2023 and Josh van der Flier’s accolade last year.
Du Toit’s performance in 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. He participated in five of the six matches during the Rugby Championship, contributing three tries while playing both in the second-row and back-row positions. Although he started nine of his ten games this year, he was rested for the Springboks’ final match against Wales.
Alongside du Toit, fellow nominees Etzebeth, Kolbe, and Doris were all named in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Team of the Year. The Springboks are well represented in this prestigious lineup, with Ox Nche, Malcom Marx, Damian de Allende, and Jesse Kriel also included. Ireland and New Zealand each have three players in the team, with Ireland’s representatives being Doris, James Lowe, and Jamison Gibson-Park, while New Zealand features Tyrel Lomax, Damian McKenzie, and Will Jordan. Argentina’s Pablo Matera rounds out the team.
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