The Springboks will play in their fourth Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, 28 October against the All Blacks in Paris. Photo: SA Rugby website
Complete list of the 2023 World Rugby Awards nominees
Here’s a detailed guide of the six World Rugby Awards categories and and every nominee that have been shortlisted in each category.
The Springboks will play in their fourth Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, 28 October against the All Blacks in Paris. Photo: SA Rugby website
World Rugby has today revealed the first shortlists for the prestigious Awards, which will be presented at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on Sunday, 29 October.
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Winners in 11 categories are set to be honoured in a star-studded showcase taking place just hours after the conclusion of a record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2023 at Stade de France.
The Rugby World Cup-winning team will be part of a glittering Parisian guest list, featuring generations of rugby greats and special guests from across society.
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The annual ceremony, which is being held at the spectacular Opéra Garnier for the first time, will celebrate a landmark year as rugby has marked its 200th anniversary with extraordinary achievements and new records as well as new beginnings.
The shortlists of the six categories revealed today have been selected by the esteemed Awards panels.
Overall, eight countries are represented among the nominee announcements and South Africa have three nominations across the six categories.
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WORLD RUGBY AWARDS CATEGORIES
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Antoine Dupont (France)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
- Manie Libbok (South Africa)
- Mark Tele’a (New Zealand)
- Tamaiti Williams (New Zealand)
World Rugby Coach of the Year
- Andy Farrell (Ireland)
- Ian Foster (New Zealand)
- Simon Raiwalui (Fiji)
- Jacques Nienaber (South Africa)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, v England on 4 February)
- Damian Penaud (France, v Ireland on 11 February)
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland, France on 11 February)
- Vinaya Habosi (Fiji, v Georgia on 1 October)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year
- Leroy Carter (New Zealand)
- Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)
- Marcos Moneta (Argentina)
- Akuila Rokolisoa (New Zealand)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year
- Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
- Maddison Levi (Australia)
- Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
- Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)
SPRINGBOK TEAM TO FACE ALL BLACKS IN FINAL
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Willie le Roux.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT | World Rugby CLEARS Bongi Mbonambi
