SA’s Pieter-Steph du Toit named World Player of the Year for second time

File: South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit poses with a trophy after he receives the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year prize during the 2024 World Rugby Awards ceremony at the Sporting Monte-Carlo complex in Monaco, on November 24, 2024. 
File: South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit poses with a trophy after he receives the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year prize during the 2024 World Rugby Awards ceremony at the Sporting Monte-Carlo complex in Monaco, on November 24, 2024. 
MONACO – South Africa back-rower Pieter-Steph du Toit was named best men’s player in the 15-a-side game while France’s Antoine Dupont took the Sevens award at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco on Sunday.
It is the second time Du Toit, 32, has picked up the accolade following his success in 2019.He came out ahead of two of his Springbok teammates Eben Etzebeth, who was nominated for a third time, and Cheslin Kolbe, as well as Ireland’s Caelan Doris. He succeeds New Zealander Ardie Savea.
A world champion with the Boks in 2019 and 2023, Du Toit was again in outstanding form in 2024, a key member of the side that won the Rugby Championship for the first time in five years, finishing with five wins and one defeat.
During the November tour, they easily disposed of Scotland and Wales and also beat England at Twickenham.
Du Toit, who has 86 caps, joins New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett as a double winner of the award with All Black greats Dan Carter and Richie McCaw winning three times each.
France captain Antoine Dupont, who won the 15-a-side award in 2021, became the first man to win both categories when he was named Sevens Player of the Year for his role in helping France to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
England back Ellie Kildunne, who scored 14 tries in 10 matches, won the women’s 15-a-side award with Australia’s Maddison Levi named as the best Sevens player.
The winners in this category were chosen by a panel made up of ex-players, coaches and journalists.
AFP