South Africa's flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit (top L) catches the ball in a line-out during an international rugby union match between South Africa and Wales at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town SA Rugby president Mark Alexander was glowing in his praise of Pieter-Steph du Toit following the World Rugby Awards on Sunday. Picture: Rodger Bosch/AFP
Image: Rodger Bosch/AFP
SA Rugby has heaped praise on Pieter-Steph du Toit after the Springbok was crowned World Men's 15s Player of the Year at a ceremony in Monaco on Sunday.
Du Toit became the first SA player to win the award a second time, after claiming the title first in 2019.
The lock was unsurprisingly also named in the 2024 Dream Team, alongside fellow Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
In fact, Kolbe and Etzebeth were also up for the top award but lost out the vote to Du Toit. Ireland’s Caelan Doris was the other nominee.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said: “On behalf of SA Rugby, I’d like to extend our since congratulations to Pieter-Steph and all the players named in the Dream Team for receiving this recognition for all the hard work they’ve been putting in on and off the field this year, as well as Selvyn for his consistently great performances during a challenging season for the Blitzboks.
“For Pieter-Steph to become the first South African to win the World Rugby Player of the Year award twice is a notable achievement, and to have seven Boks in total feature in the Dream Team is simply remarkable.
“Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has built something special with the Bok team and the way the players give their all week-in and week-out is an inspiration to us all and shows that hard pays off.
“We are very proud of them and the entire Springbok coaching and management team for their tireless efforts to ensure that our players continue to shine on the international stage.