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 Nov 24.
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.
He is the third South African winner, after Schalk Burger in 2004 and Bryan Habana in 2007.
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.
Dupont’s sevens coach Jerome Daret was named coach of the Year, becoming the first sevens coach to take the honour.
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 best Sevens player.
On the pitch, Australia coach Joe Schmidt thinks the Wallabies are still on a positive trajectory despite their dreams of a first Grand Slam tour in 40 years being shattered by a 27-13 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield on Nov 24.
Wins over England and Wales to start their tour had triggered a huge upsurge in interest in the Wallabies back home, and had some dreaming of a sweep of the home nations to match that achieved by the 1984 tourists.
Schmidt said Scotland had proved to be a very strong side featuring several players likely to face the Wallabies in British & Irish Lions colours on next year’s tour of Australia.
“I think that context is still pretty positive, because Scotland will contribute, I’ve no doubt, a number of players,” he told said after the match.
“They’re a tough team… what I’m hoping is that people do see it as real contest next July, because I think we’re building a little bit of momentum.
“I always said from the start it would never be linear, because high performance, it just isn’t. There’s going to be days where it doesn’t go as well as you’d like it to go.” AFP, REUTERS
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