Mr Mark Alexander, the President of SA Rugby, congratulated World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Malcolm Marx, fellow nominees Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, as well as Thomas du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Cheslin Kolbe for being named in the 2025 World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team on Tuesday.
All six players delivered stand-out performances on the international stage this season, in which the Springboks have won 11 out of their 13 tests to date, with their final fixture of the year being against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Boks successfully defended the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, as well as the Freedom Cup and Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate trophies. They also won all three matches in the Castle Lager Incoming Series in July to add to victories against Japan, France, Italy, and Ireland on the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, which saw them retain the top spot on the world rankings going into their closing match of the season.
“I’d like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Malcolm, Pieter-Steph, Ox, Thomas, Sacha and Cheslin on behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country for being named in the Dream Team,” said Mr Alexander.
“They have all played exceptionally well this season and deserve this honour. Being named in this team is a massive achievement, especially since it consists of the best players throughout the world. To see six Springboks included is a testament to the quality of players we have in South Africa.
“Making this achievement even more remarkable, Malcolm became the second South African player in a row to win the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year award, after being nominated alongside Pieter-Steph and Ox.
"In addition, Ethan Hooker was nominated for the World Rugby Breakthrough Men’s 15s Player of the Year award. As SA Rugby, we could not be prouder of them and the entire Springbok team.
“The Springboks are a true symbol of what we can achieve as a country and as a team when everyone works together. It is a brotherhood more than anything else and I’d like to congratulate coach Rassie Erasmus, his coaching staff and management team for ensuring that the players remain the best version of themselves on and off the field.”
Mr Alexander also congratulated the Springboks on their season to date and wished them well for their final test of the year.
“Once again, the Springboks have had a remarkable season, with only two defeats in 13 matches. To retain the top place on the world rankings in such a competitive year is exceptional,” he said.
“They still have one match to play and everyone at SA Rugby and across the country will be behind them on Saturday when they line up against Wales. We wish them luck as they aim to finish their November tour unbeaten for the second consecutive year.”
Nche, Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Kolbe were among the seven Springboks named in the 2024 Dream Team, along with Eben Etzebeth, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team:
15 Will Jordan (NZ)
14 Cheslin Kolbe (SA)
13 Huw Jones (Scotland)
12 Len Ikitau (Australia)
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (SA)
9 Cam Roigard (NZ)
8 Harry Wilson (Aus)
7 Tom Curry (England)
6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (SA)
5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
4 Maro Itoje (England)
3 Thomas du Toit (SA)
2 Malcolm Marx (SA)
1 Ox Nche (SA)