Springboks Lead the Charge: World Rugby Awards 2023 Nominations Unveiled | Planet Rugby
The Springboks lead in the 2024 World Rugby Awards nominations.
Ardie Savea will give up his title as the world’s best player. He is not on the list for the World Rugby Men’s XV Player of the Year for 2024. South African players Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, and Pieter-Steph du Toit are nominated. They compete against Ireland’s Caelan Doris.
World Rugby Awards
Pieter-Steph du Toit may become the first South African to win this award twice. He won it after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and is the only former winner on the nominee list.
Eben Etzebeth is nominated for the second year. He became South Africa’s most-capped player after losing to Savea last year.
Cheslin Kolbe and Caelan Doris received their first nominations for this award after strong performances for their teams.
The World Rugby Awards panel has named 28 players for the individual awards. The ceremony will occur on 24 November in Monaco.
Antoine Dupont, a former Men’s XV Player of the Year, is up for the Sevens Player of the Year Award. He is joined by fellow French player Aaron Grandidier Nkanang and Irish player Terry Kennedy.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is nominated for the Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year. He is alongside Immanuel Feyi-Waboso from England, Jamie Osborne from Ireland, and Wallace Sititi from New Zealand. All four players were born in the early 2000s and have performed well this year.
James Lowe, Lorenzo Pani, Nolann Le Garrec, and Akaki Tabutsadze are nominated for the International Rugby Players Men’s 15s Try of the Year Award. The Women’s equivalent has nominees Alyssa D’Incà, Georgia Ponsonby, Maya Stewart, and Marine Ménager.
Alan Gilpin, World Rugby’s chief executive, congratulated the nominees. He noted that the year had remarkable tournaments and competitions, highlighting the sport’s values and inspiring fans worldwide.
The ceremony will also reveal six more awards, including the Coach of the Year and the Women’s and Men’s Dream Teams 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 awards announced on 24 November
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
World Rugby 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
Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year
READ MORE: Quiz: Can you name every World Rugby Player of the Year?