South Africa’s Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup with team-mates following victory in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Picture date: Saturday October 28, 2023. Photo: David Davies / PA
Only ONE Springboks star in World Rugby Dream Team
Just a single Springboks star has made the cut for the World Rugby Dream Team, while not a single South African collected individual awards.
South Africa’s Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup with team-mates following victory in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Picture date: Saturday October 28, 2023. Photo: David Davies / PA
The Springboks defended their Rugby World Cup crown but only one South African made it into the IRB’s Dream Team. That man, unsurprisingly, is Eben Etzebeth.
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Regarding individual awards, Ardie Savea pipped Eben Etzebeth to the biggest prize of the night, the World Player of the Year. Fellow All Black Mark Tele’a, born in South Africa, beat Manie Libbok to the Breakthrough Player of the Year gong. Coach Jacques Nienaber was among the World Rugby Coach of the Year nominees, but he was also overlooked as the award went to Ireland’s Andy Farrell.
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What are your thoughts on this selection? A bit harsh on the Sptingboks, no?
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