Springbok stalwart Pieter-Steph du Toit named World Rugby Player of the Year
Star Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit has been honoured with the World Rugby Player of the Year accolade.
Du Toit scooped the prestigious award at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco on Sunday night.
He was nominated alongside Bok team-mates, lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Cheslin Kolbe, as well as Ireland loose forward Caelan Doris.
This is the second time Du Toit has won the World Rugby Player of the Year award, having also done so in 2019.
The world at his fingertips ??
For a second time, Pieter-Steph Du Toit wins Men's 15s Player of the Year#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/yF2cJykoPj
Meanwhile, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus was snubbed for the Coach of the Year accolade, with the honour going to France 7s coach Jérôme Daret. Daret led his charges to gold at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Leading France to Olympic glory ??
Jérôme Daret is named World Rugby's Coach of the Year for 2024 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/8w7SZZEBen
Young Bok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also lost out in the Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year category. The young gun award went to New Zealand loose forward Wallace Sititi.
Instant impact for the All Blacks ??
Congratulations to Wallace Sititi, Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/ugVP3g9urA
Elsewhere, seven Springboks cracked the nod in the Dream Team of the Year, namely prop Ox Nche, hooker Malcolm Marx, lock Etzebeth, flanker Du Toit, centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, and winger Kolbe.
The supreme XV of 2024 ??
Presenting the Men's 15s Dream Team of the Year #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/4Ub6KiK2Za
The Women's Player of the Year award went to England's Ellie Kildunne.
Speed, flair and scoring ability in an unbeaten year for the Red Roses ??
Ellie