Rematch! Pieter-Steph, Eben & Cheslin go head-to-head in new awards

NEWS: As the curtain closes on an exhilarating 2024 season, MyPlayers is proud to reveal the nominees for the prestigious Players’ Player of the Year Awards.

These awards celebrate excellence and recognise the outstanding contributions of South Africa’s top rugby players across three categories: Men’s Fifteens, Springbok Sevens and Springbok Women.

Following a comprehensive evaluation process and in-depth discussions with player leadership groups, the professional players themselves have carefully selected the nominees.

This final list represents those who have demonstrated remarkable skill, dedication and impact on the field throughout the year.

The nominees for the Men’s Fifteens Players’ Player of the Year include World Rugby Awards 2024 honourees Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and winner Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Ox Nche and Damian De Allende complete the list.

For the Women's Players' Player of the Year, Vainah Ubisi, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Ayanda Malinga and Nadine Roos have been nominated.

BlitzBoks captain Selvyn Davids, Ryan Oosthuizen and Quewin Nortje made the shortlist for the Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year.

2024 MyPlayers Awards Nominees

Men’s Fifteens Players’ Player of the Year

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Cheslin Kolbe

Ox Nche

Eben Etzebeth

Damian de Allende

Men’s Sevens Players’ Player of the Year

Selvyn Davids

Ryan Oosthuizen

Quewin Nortje

Women’s Players’ Player of the Year

Vainah Ubisi

Libbie Janse van Rensburg

Ayanda Malinga

Nadine Roos

Since its inception in 2005, when John Smit became the first recipient, the Players’ Player of the Year Award has celebrated South Africa’s finest rugby talent. This tradition of peer recognition is a testament to the respect and admiration players have for one another’s achievements.

Previous Winners:

John Smit (2005), Kabamba Floors (2006), Willem de Waal (2007), Jean de Villiers (2008), Morné Steyn (2009), Gio Aplon (2010), Bismarck du Plessis (2011), JP Pietersen (2012), Willie le Roux (2013), Duane Vermeulen (2014), Jaco Kriel (2015), Jean-Luc du Preez (2016), Siya Kolisi (2017), Malcolm Marx (2018), Pieter-Steph du Toit (2019), Duane Vermeulen (2020), Cheslin Kolbe (2021), Lukhanyo Am (2022), Eben Etzebeth (2023).

Voting and Winner Announcement:

Voting is open exclusively to active MyPlayers members within their respective categories. Winners will be announced in December 2024 through an official press release and MyPlayers’ social media platforms.

Join us as we celebrate another extraordinary year of rugby and honour the game’s finest talents with the 2024 Players’ Player of the Year Awards.