Hold onto your seats, rugby fans, because the World Rugby Awards are about to get really interesting! South Africa’s Springboks are dominating the nominations, with a staggering three out of four players in the running for Player of the Year. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a testament to their undeniable skill, or a sign of a lack of diversity in the nominations? Let’s dive in.
The Springboks, fresh off their Rugby Championship victory and sitting pretty at the top of the world rankings, have Pieter-Steph du Toit (the current titleholder and two-time winner), Malcolm Marx (a 2018 nominee), and Ox Nche all vying for the top honor. Joining them is France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey, whose stellar year included a Six Nations title and an Investec Champions Cup win with Bordeaux-Begles. But is one French nominee enough to balance the scales? That’s a question worth debating.
And this is the part most people miss: the Boks’ dominance doesn’t stop there. In the Breakthrough Player of the Year category, versatile back Ethan Hooker—who made his debut against Italy in July and scored his first try against them just last weekend—is flying the South African flag. He’s joined by England’s Henry Pollock, New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Are we seeing a shift in the global rugby landscape, or is this just South Africa’s moment to shine?
Speaking of moments to shine, let’s not forget the historic 1999 Rugby World Cup, where Spain made their first-ever appearance against Uruguay. Fast forward to this weekend, and you can catch Spain taking on England A live and for free on RugbyPassTV. It’s a reminder of how far the sport has come—and how much further it can go.
Now, onto the Try of the Year nominations, which are as diverse as they are spectacular. Argentina’s Santiago Cordero, Chile’s Santiago Pedrero, Fiji’s Lekima Tagitagivalu, and New Zealand’s Tupou Vaa’i are all in the running for their jaw-dropping scores. Which try deserves the top spot? Is it Cordero’s precision, Pedrero’s grit, Tagitagivalu’s flair, or Vaa’i’s power? Cast your vote—or better yet, let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
The winners will be revealed on November 22 across World Rugby’s digital platforms, and the anticipation is palpable. As World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson aptly put it, “The World Rugby Awards represent a celebration of the very best our sport has to offer.” From breakthrough talents to inspirational leaders, this year’s nominees have truly embodied the spirit of rugby.
But here’s the real question: As rugby continues to grow globally, how can we ensure that awards like these reflect the diversity and depth of talent across the sport? Let us know what you think—agree or disagree, we want to hear from you!
