POPULAR ON PLANET RUGBY

8 Caelan Doris (Ireland)

Despite not having the most glittering autumn by his standards the new Ireland captain was a colossus for the rest of the year and in particular during the South Africa tour. He is a serious athlete and one that could take his game to even greater heights. Doris got 38% of votes which only just pipped powerhouse Bok Jasper Wiese with 30% while evergreen Ardie Savea got 28% himself, leaving England’s Ben Earl with just 4%.

7 Siya Kolisi (South Africa)

Before our South African readers shoot to the comments section and tell us we have the wrong number for Kolisi we would like to remind you that most countries outside of the Rainbow Nation have their opensides wear seven instead of six. With the housekeeping aside the Boks captain issued a strong reminder in 2024 that he still has a lot to offer this team and that he wants to be present in 2027. His 45% was enough to get ahead of Irishman Josh van der Flier (31%), Pumas hardman Pablo Matera (14%) and Wallaby Fraser McReight (9%).

6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year surely had to feature right? And so he did with a ridiculous 88% of the votes which is no surprise given the royal quality of his tireless performances. Du Toit notably grew his running game in 2024 and was the undisputed king. Wallace Sititi bagged the majority of the remaining votes with 8% while Argentine Marcos Kremer and Frenchman Francois Cros had 2% each.

5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

The Irishman is supremely talented and was equally effective whatever number was on his back. The fascinating thing about Beirne’s game is that he so brilliantly completes the duties of the second-row while also being a master at the breakdown. World-class. His 45% wins the race with Tupou Vaa’i’s good All Blacks season getting him 27% with Frenchman Thibaud Flament (21%) and England’s George Martin (8%) rounding out the options.

4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

By far the most commanding of all the votes as the most-capped Springbok scored a whopping 92% of the votes from our readers. Etzebeth has surpassed world-class and is an icon of our game. His influence on rugby union will remain in years to come as the Boks enforcer is now one of the game’s timeless greats. There was not much left for the rest with Ireland’s Joe McCarthy and England’s Maro Itoje on 3% each and Scott Barrett with 2%.

3 Vincent Koch (South Africa)

Perhaps one of the more surprising selections with Mr Incredible bagging 52% of the votes for a very solid year that once again saw him mostly come off the bench. He gets in at tighthead although we really loved his brief cameo at loosehead near the end of the year. Dream Team representative Tyrel Lomax of the All Blacks got 30% with Scotland’s Zander Fagerson 15% and England’s Will Stuart 3%.

2 Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

Another Dream Team member despite not having his best year once again by his lofty standards. The Springboks contingent of our readers certainly didn’t agree with that as he scored a powerful 63%. That tally was followed by veteran All Black Codie Taylor (17%), Frenchman Peato Mauvaka (15%) and Welsh skipper Dewi Lake on 4%.

1 Ox Nche (South Africa)

Last but not least it is South Africa’s cake-loving scrum winning superstar! Nche took his game up several levels from the Rugby World Cup last year and many (including us) believed he should have got the Player of the Year award. Regardless, he got the top gong in our readers’ awards and now his 80% is more than enough for him to secure the loosehead spot. The trailing trio of Thomas du Toit (8%), Andrew Porter (7%) and Tamaiti Williams (5%) were all way behind.