Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ellie Kildunne win World Rugby player of the year awards

Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ellie Kildunne win World Rugby player of the year awards
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South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit was named rugby’s world player of the year for the second time on Sunday at a ceremony in Monaco, while England’s Ellie Kildunne took the women’s honours and Antoine Dupont and Maddison Levi claimed the sevens titles.

Flanker Du Toit also won in 2019 and becomes the fourth man to take the honour twice after New Zealand trio Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Beauden Barrett. He is the third South African winner after Schalk Burger in 2004 and Bryan Habana in 2007.

The all-action forward helped the Springboks to a first Rugby Championship title in five years and followed up with a clean sweep of wins over Scotland, England and Wales in the Autumn series.

Fullback Kildunne was one of the stand-out players in an England team that won all 10 matches played in 2024 as they took the Six Nations and WXV 1 titles.

Dupont’s recognition came after his dramatic contribution to France’s Olympic gold on home soil and he becomes the first player to take the 15s and sevens title.

England's Ellie Kildunne poses with the trophy

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England’s Ellie Kildunne poses with the trophy (AFP via Getty Images)Ellie Kildunne is the favourite to be named Women’s Player of the Year

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Ellie Kildunne is the favourite to be named Women’s Player of the Year (PA Wire)

Australia’s Levi, who was also nominated in 2022 and 2023, was an unstoppable force at the Olympics where she scored a record 14 tries having scored 69 on the SVNS 2024 series – the second-highest figure in men’s series history.

Dupont’s sevens coach Jerome Daret was named coach of the Year, becoming the first sevens coach to take the honour.

South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit scores against England

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South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit scores against England (Getty Images)South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit poses with the trophy

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South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit poses with the trophy (AFP via Getty Images)

Loose forward Wallace Sititi was named men’s breakthrough player of the year after a remarkable debut season for New Zealand, while Ireland flanker Erin King took the women’s award after hitting the ground running after moving to 15s from sevens after the Paris Olympics.

France's Antoine Dupont poses with trophy after he receives the Men's Sevens Player of the Year

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France’s Antoine Dupont poses with trophy after he receives the Men’s Sevens Player of the Year (AFP via Getty Images)

WORLD RUGBY AWARDS 2024 | NOMINEES

MEN’S 15s

World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year

Winner: Wallace Sititi (NZL)

Nominees:

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (RSA)Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (ENG)Jamie Osborne (IRE)

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year

Winner: Pieter-Steph du Toit (RSA)

Nominees:

Caelan Doris (IRE)Eben Etzebeth (RSA)Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)

International Rugby Players Men’s 15s Try of the Year

Winner: Nolann Le Garrec (France v England, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)

Nominees:

James Lowe (Ireland v England, Men’s Six Nations, 10 March)Lorenzo Pani (Italy v Wales, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia v Australia, July Internationals, 20 July)

WOMEN’S 15S

World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year

Winner: Erin King (IRE)

Nominees:

Caitlyn Halse (AUS)Maddie Feaunati (ENG)Hannah King (NZL)

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year

Winner: Ellie Kildunne (ENG)

Nominees:

Pauline Bourdon Sansus (FRA)Alex Matthews (ENG)Alex Tessier (CAN)

International Rugby Players Women’s 15s Try of the Year

Winner: Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)

Nominees:

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)

SEVENS

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC

Winner: Antoine Dupont (FRA)

Nominees:

Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (FRA)Terry Kennedy (IRE)

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC

Winner: Maddison Levi (AUS)

Nominees:

Michaela Blyde (NZL)Jorja Miller (NZL)

Other categories with winners announced on 24 November

International Rugby Players Special Merit Award: Vickii Cornborough (England)World Rugby Coach of the Year: Jérôme Daret (France)



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