South Africa’s rugby engine keeps firing on all cylinders, with four Springboks bulldozing their way into the 2026 World Rugby Awards nominations announced on Tuesday.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and rising sensation Ethan Hooker all cracked the shortlist, sending a clear reminder that the green-and-gold machine remains one of the sport’s fiercest global forces.
Du Toit, already a two-time winner of World Rugby’s top men’s honour, is once again in the hunt for the Men’s 15s Player of the Year award.
He’s joined by Marx and Nche, making it a near three-man Bok front row in the world’s biggest individual rugby contest, alongside France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey. For Marx, it’s a second nomination after first featuring back in 2018.
Four #Springboks have been nominated for @WorldRugby Awards for 2025 – more here: https://t.co/2lJ0LoAGvY 🤩#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/ytn0W5wlwR
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 18, 2025
Hooker adds fresh energy to the mix as one of four contenders for the Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, lining up with New Zealand lock Fabian Holland, England’s Henry Pollock and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander said the nominations reflected the team’s world-class depth:
“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 players had delivered consistently powerful performances all season:
“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 closed with a simple message ahead of the awards ceremony on 22 November:
“Regardless of the outcome, being nominated is already a remarkable achievement.”
Four @Springboks . Two categories. One massive statement. 🇿🇦 @PSDT, @MalcolmMarx, @OxNche & @EthanHooker shortlisted for the 2026 @WorldRugby Awards. Who is your favourite?
SA rugby dominance hits again. 🟢💛 #Springboks #WorldRugbyAwards https://t.co/2Jg4vtbKF9— Adnaan Mohamed (@Adnaan1111) November 18, 2025
Only Schalk Burger (2004), Bryan Habana (2007) and Du Toit himself have previously bagged the men’s Player of the Year crown. Other recent nominees in the past decade include Willie le Roux, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk and Lukhanyo Am.
World Rugby will reveal its Dream Team of the Year on Tuesday, 25 November.
