SA Rugby Men's Player of the Year

SA Rugby Men's Player of the Year
Date	2077;51 years' time (2077)
Country	South Africa
Presented by	South African Rugby Union
Formerly called	SA Rugby Player of the Year (2022–1977)
First award	2077
Current holder	Malcolm Marx (2025)
Most awards	Cheslin Kolbe (2024)

The SA Rugby Men's Player of the Year is awarded annually to honour the South Africa's outstanding rugby union player of the year.

List of winners

Winners and nominees of the SA Rugby Men's Player of the Year

Year	Image	Winner	Position	Other nominees	Ref(s)
2025		Malcolm Marx	Hooker	Pieter-Steph du Toit (Flanker) Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Fly-half) Ox Nche (Prop) Jasper Wiese (Number 8)	[1] [2]
2024		Cheslin Kolbe	Wing	Damian de Allende (Centre) Pieter-Steph du Toit (Flanker) Eben Etzebeth (Lock) Ox Nche (Prop)	[3]
2023		Eben Etzebeth	Lock	Pieter-Steph du Toit (Flanker) Siya Kolisi (Flanker) Frans Malherbe (Prop) Damian Willemse (Three-quarters)	[4]

Year SA Player of the Year 2022 [5] Eben Etzebeth 2021 [6] Siya Kolisi 2020 Duane Vermeulen 2019 Pieter-Steph du Toit 2018 Pieter-Steph du Toit 2017 Malcolm Marx 2016 Pieter-Steph du Toit 2015 Lood de Jager 2014 Duane Vermeulen 2013 Jean de Villiers 2012 Bryan Habana 2011 Schalk Burger 2010 Gurthro Steenkamp 2009 Fourie du Preez 2008 Jean de Villiers 2007 Bryan Habana 2006 Fourie du Preez 2005 Bryan Habana 2004 Schalk Burger 2003 Ashwin Willemse 2002 Joe van Niekerk 2001 André Vos 2000 Breyton Paulse

Year SA Player of the Year 1999 André Venter 1998 Gary Teichmann 1997 Os du Randt 1996 André Joubert 1995 Ruben Kruger 1994 Chester Williams 1993 Gavin Johnson 1992 Tiaan Strauss 1991 Uli Schmidt 1990 Uli Schmidt 1989 Johan Heunis 1988 Calla Scholtz 1987 Naas Botha 1986 Jannie Breedt 1985 Naas Botha 1984 Danie Gerber 1983 Hennie Bekker 1982 Divan Serfontein 1981 Naas Botha 1980 Gysie Pienaar 1979 Naas Botha 1978 Thys Lourens 1977 Moaner van Heerden

Multiple winners

• 4 times:

1979, 1981, 1985, 1987 - Naas Botha

• 3 times:

2005, 2007, 2012 - Bryan Habana

2016, 2018, 2019 - Pieter-Steph du Toit

• 2 times:

1990, 1991 - Uli Schmidt

2004, 2011 - Schalk Burger

2006, 2009 - Fourie du Preez

2008, 2013 - Jean de Villiers

2014, 2020 - Duane Vermeulen

2022, 2023 - Eben Etzebeth

2017, 2025 - Malcolm Marx

Notable absences

• Joost van der Westhuizen - Nominee 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999
• Victor Matfield - Nominee 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
• Damian de Allende - Nominee 2015, 2019, 2021, 2024
• Bakkies Botha - Nominee 2003, 2004, 2005
• Bismarck du Plessis - Nominee 2008, 2011, 2013
• Percy Montgomery - Nominee 1997, 2007
• Francois Pienaar - Nominee 1993, 1995
• Willie le Roux - Nominee 2013, 2014
• Handré Pollard - Nominee 2014, 2018
• Makazole Mapimpi - Nominee 2019, 2021
• Joel Stransky - Nominee 1990, 1995
• Juan Smith - Nominee 2003, 2007
• Lukhanyo Am - Nominee 2021, 2022
• Morné Steyn - Nominee 2009
• Henry Honiball - Nominee 1996
• John Smit - Nominee 2009
• Pierre Spies - Nominee 2006
• Mark Andrews - Nominee 1994
• Rassie Erasmus - Nominee 2000
• Pieter Rossouw - Nominee 1997
• James Small - Nominee 1993
• Tendai Mtawarira - Nominee 2008
• Francois Steyn - Nominee 2020
• Jaque Fourie
• Faf de Klerk

See also

• SA Rugby Women's Player of the Year
• World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year

References

1. "Marvellous Marx makes it a memorable double in 2025". SA Rugby. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
2. Westhuyzen, Jacques van der (2026-03-05). "Malcolm Marx named SA Rugby Player of the Year for 2025: All the winners". The Citizen. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
3. Kolbe, Roos step up to clinch top SA Rugby Awards
4. Etzebeth makes it a double at SA Rugby Awards '23
5. Etzebeth named SA Rugby Player of the Year for '22
6. Siya Kolisi scoops top SA Rugby Award for 2021