The Springboks dominate the nominations for the 2024 World Rugby Awards, with three players in line to win the Player of the Year.
Ardie Savea will relinquish his title as the best player in the world after he failed to get nominated for the World Rugby Men’s XV Player of the Year for 2024 with Springboks Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit nominated along with Ireland forward Caelan Doris.
World Rugby Awards
Du Toit could become the first South African to win the award twice after being named the best player in the world after the 2019 Rugby World Cup with the flanker also being the only former winner to make the shortlist.
His Springboks teammate Eben Etzebeth is nominated for the second successive year after missing out to Savea last year and has since gone on to become South Africa’s most-capped player.
Meanwhile, Kolbe and Ireland star Doris earned their first nominations for the gong after standout years for their countries.
The World Rugby Awards panels have released their shortlist of 28 players for the individual awards with the ceremony taking place on 24 November in Monaco.
Former World Rugby Men’s XV Player of the Year Antoine Dupont has been nominated alongside fellow countryman Aaron Grandidier Nkanang for the Sevens Player of the Year Award, as has Irishman Terry Kennedy.
Another Springbok has also been nominated for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu shortlisted alongside England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ireland’s Jamie Osborne and New Zealand’s Wallace Sititi.
All four of the aforementioned players were born in the early 2000s and have lit up the international scene this year and look set to have long Test careers in front of them.
Note all World Rugby Awards are assessed on international test match performances. Club rugby is not recognised.
James Lowe, Lorenzo Pani, Nolann Le Garrec and Akaki Tabutsadze are all up for the International Rugby Players Men’s 15s Try of the Year Award while Alyssa D’Incà, Georgia Ponsonby, Maya Stewart and Marine Ménager are up for the Women’s equivalent.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to warmly congratulate all nominees selected today and thank them for their contribution to the advancement of our sport. In a calendar year that saw fantastic 15s tournaments and sevens competitions including a groundbreaking Olympics Games in Paris, they have shone brightly and inspired fans worldwide, showcasing the best of our sport and its values,” World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said.
“We look forward to uniting our global family in Monaco for the fourth time under the High Patronage of H.S.H Princess Charlene of Monaco, and presenting a wider cast of winners with the ultimate accolades in rugby – the World Rugby Awards.”
The remaining six awards will be unveiled during the ceremony, including the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award, Coach of the Year, Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, Women’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year and Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year.
Full list of past winners and nominees for the World Rugby Player of the Year
2024 World Rugby Awards Nominees
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)
Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year
Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
International Rugby Players Men’s 15s Try of the Year
James Lowe (Ireland v England, Men’s Six Nations, 10 March)
Lorenzo Pani (Italy v Wales, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)
Nolann Le Garrec (France v England, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)
Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia v Australia, July Internationals, 20 July)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
Caitlyn Halse (Australia)
Maddie Feaunati (England)
Erin King (Ireland)
Hannah King (New Zealand)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year
Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France)
Ellie Kildunne (England)
Alex Matthews (England)
Alex Tessier (Canada)
International Rugby Players Women’s 15s Try of the Year
Alyssa D’Incà (Italy v Scotland, Women’s Six Nations, 20 April)
Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand v Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May)
Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September)
Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year
Antoine Dupont (France)
Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France)
Terry Kennedy (Ireland)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year
Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
Maddison Levi (Australia)
Jorja Miller (New Zealand)
Other categories with winners announced on 24 November
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
World Rugby Coach of the Year
World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year
READ MORE: Quiz: Can you name every World Rugby Player of the Year?
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