By Adnaan Mohamed
South Africa’s rugby powerhouse flexed its muscles again this week as four Springboks crashed through the global recognition line like flankers hitting a ruck at full tilt.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and rising star Ethan Hooker were all shortlisted for major honours at the 2026 World Rugby Awards announced on Tuesday.
Du Toit, already etched in history as the first South African to win the World Men’s 15s Player of the Year twice, is once more in the running for the sport’s highest individual accolade. He is joined by teammates Marx and Nche as well as France’s electric winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Marx earns his second career nomination after also being recognised in 2018.
Hooker, meanwhile, finds himself in the global limelight as one of four nominees for World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, lining up alongside New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, England’s Henry Pollock and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander praised the quartet’s impact, saying:
“I’d like to congratulate Pieter-Steph, Malcolm, Ox and Ethan for being recognised among the best players in the world.”
He added: “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.”
Alexander said the recognition reflected the green-and-gold’s consistency and class:
“They have all performed exceptionally well this season and deserve this recognition. On behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country, I want to express how proud we are of them.”
He concluded with a message of encouragement ahead of the final announcement:
“We wish them well ahead of Saturday’s announcement. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated is already a remarkable achievement.”
Only Schalk Burger (2004), Bryan Habana (2007) and Du Toit himself have previously lifted the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year crown. Other South Africans nominated over the past decade include Willie le Roux, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk and Lukhanyo Am.
The winners will be announced on Saturday, 22 November, with World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year set to follow on Tuesday, 25 November.
