World Rugby Awards: Champions Springboks snubbed as Farrell, Savea win big

A mere day after the Springboks secured their title as back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions and clinched the Webb Ellis trophy for a record-breaking fourth time, Jacques Nienaber, Eben Etzebeth, and Manie Libbok left the World Rugby Awards on Sunday evening in Paris, France, without any accolades in hand.

The trio, flanked by the entire Bok squad, wearng their national suits and sporting their well-deserved gold medals as a fitting accessory, had received nominations for the Coach of the Year (Nienaber), Player of the Year (Etzebeth), and Breakthrough Player of the Year (Libbok) awards.

However, it was not to be for the South African contingent.

New Zealand forward Ardie Savea secured the Player of the Year award, Ireland's coach Andy Farrell earned the Coach of the Year accolade, and the All Blacks' Mark Tele'a was honored as the Breakthrough Player of the Year.

On a brighter note, Etzebeth did indeed receive acknowledgment for his stellar performances throughout the year by being named in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.

2023's supreme sideThe World Rugby Men's 15s Dream Team of the Year, in partnership with @Capgemini#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/ys2q2UGhb8

Less than 24 hours before the awards ceremony, just a few kilometers away at the Stade de France in Paris, the Springboks faced their well-known rivals, New Zealand, in a blood-soaked and tension-filled Rugby World Cup final, ultimately triumphing with a tight score of 12-11.

Although Nienaber and his players did not step onto the podium to receive a World Rugby Award on Sunday, former World Cup-winning Bok captain John Smit earned a distinctive accolade: the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award, in recognition of his exceptional