Springboks star Pieter-Steph du Toit has been named World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year for a second time, fending off the challenges of fellow South Africans, Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth, as well as Ireland captain Caelan Doris.
He made 10 appearances for the Springboks this year, and played a crucial role in Rassie Erasmus’ side winning their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 as well as going unbeaten on their Northern Hemisphere tour this month.
Pieter-Steph du Toit named World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year for second time
The Bok becomes just the fourth player to win the award twice, joining Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett to that mantel. He’s also the first Springbok to win the award since he claimed his first one in 2019, after helping his side win the World Cup.
He is also the third-successive back-rower to win the gong, with Ardie Savea winning the award last year and Ireland star Josh van der Flier taking home the prize in 2022.
This has been yet another sensational year for the esteemed Springbok, who has certainly aged like a fine wine. He featured in five of the six games during the Rugby Championship, across both the second-row and back-row, and notched a tidy haul of three tries in the process.
Du Toit also made nine starts across his 10 appearances this calendar year, but was rested for his side’s final game of the year against Wales.
Fellow nominees Etzebeth, Kolbe and Doris, as well as Du Toit, all made the World Rugby Men’s 15s Team of the Year. The Boks are well represented in that team, with Ox Nche, Malcom Marx, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel joining the three nominees.
Ireland and New Zealand have three players each, with Andy Farrell’s side represented by Doris, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park and Tyrel Lomax, Damian McKenzie and Will Jordan the All Blacks included. Rounding off the team is Argentina star Pablo Matera.
