Jacques Nienaber (Gallo Images)
- World Cup-winning Springbok trio walked away empty handed at the World Rugby Awards on Sunday.
- New Zealand forward Ardie Savea, Ireland coach Andy Farrell and All Blacks wing Mark Tele’a won big on the night.
- Former World Cup-winning Bok captain John Smit received the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the sport.
- For more, please visit News24’s Rugby World Cup Zone.
A mere day after the Springboks secured their title as back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions and clinched the Webb Ellis trophy for a record-breaking fourth time, Jacques Nienaber, Eben Etzebeth, and Manie Libbok left the World Rugby Awards on Sunday evening in Paris, France, without any accolades in hand.
The trio, flanked by the entire Bok squad, wearng their national suits and sporting their well-deserved gold medals as a fitting accessory, had received nominations for the Coach of the Year (Nienaber), Player of the Year (Etzebeth), and Breakthrough Player of the Year (Libbok) awards.
However, it was not to be for the South African contingent.
New Zealand forward Ardie Savea secured the Player of the Year award, Ireland’s coach Andy Farrell earned the Coach of the Year accolade, and the All Blacks’ Mark Tele’a was honored as the Breakthrough Player of the Year.
On a brighter note, Etzebeth did indeed receive acknowledgment for his stellar performances throughout the year by being named in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.
World Rugby Award winners
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year – Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- World Rugby Coach of the Year – Andy Farrell (Ireland)
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year – Mark Tele’a (New Zealand)
- International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year – Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, v England on 4 February)
- World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
- World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year – Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)
- Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – George Nijaradze (Georgia)
- International Rugby Players Special Merit Award – John Smit (South Africa)
- Rugby for All Award – SOS Kit Aid
- World Rugby Referee Award – David McHugh
Less than 24 hours before the awards ceremony, just a few kilometers away at the Stade de France in Paris, the Springboks faced their well-known rivals, New Zealand, in a blood-soaked and tension-filled Rugby World Cup final, ultimately triumphing with a tight score of 12-11.
Although Nienaber and his players did not step onto the podium to receive a World Rugby Award on Sunday, former World Cup-winning Bok captain John Smit earned a distinctive accolade: the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the sport.
Meanwhile, the Springboks are set to embark on their journey home, boarding a flight on Monday and slated to touch down at OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa on Tuesday morning at 10:55.
Following their arrival, they will embark on a week-long celebratory parade showcasing the Webb Ellis trophy across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and the Eastern Cape.
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