--- title: "Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and PSDT shortlisted for 2025 World Player of the Year" description: "Four Springboks have been nominated for World Rugby Player awards. The ceremony is on 22 November." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "RUGBY HONOURS" author: "Craig Ray" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/craig-ray/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-18-ox-nche-malcolm-marx-psdt-up-for-2025-player-of-the-year/" published: "2025-11-18T12:57:03" updated: "2025-11-18T12:57:05" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 753 --- # Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and PSDT shortlisted for 2025 World Player of the Year > Four Springboks have been nominated for World Rugby Player awards. The ceremony is on 22 November. By Craig Ray · Published 18 November 2025, 14:57 SAST · Updated 18 November 2025, 14:57 SAST ## Key points - As South Africans grumble about dubious red cards and conspiracy theories, three Springboks bask in the glow of World Rugby nominations, proving that even amid questionable officiating, excellence shines brighter than a referee's whistle. - South Africa's Springboks face scrutiny over dubious red cards, sparking conspiracy theories, yet three players are nominated for the 2025 World Player of the Year. - Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, and Ox Nche represent the Boks, with Du Toit aiming for a historic third win alongside legends like Dan Carter. - Utility back Ethan Hooker is nominated for Breakthrough Player of the Year, showcasing South Africa's emerging talent against stiff competition. - SA Rugby president Mark Alexander praises the players' achievements, highlighting their exceptional performances despite the ongoing officiating controversies. ## Content South Africans might feel aggrieved at a spate of dubious red cards, leading to grumblings of a conspiracy against the Springboks, but World Rugby on Tuesday nominated three Springboks for 2025 World Player of the Year. Of course, the two are unrelated but it does highlight that [despite some contentious officiating](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-17-mostert-red-card-shows-rugby-is-a-sport-in-deep-confusion-and-crisis/), there is recognition of the team’s success and excellence at some level of the sport. In the 2025 World Player of the Year category, flank Pieter-Steph du Toit is nominated for a third time, hooker Malcolm Marx nominated for a second time and loosehead Ox Nche nominated for a first time. France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is the fourth player up for the award. Du Toit has won it twice – in 2019 and 2024 – while Marx missed out in 2018 to Ireland’s Johnny Sexton. If Du Toit wins, he would join All Black legends Dan Carter and Richie McCaw as the only three-time winners of the prestigious accolade. In the Breakthrough of the Year category, Bok utility back Ethan Hooker was one of four nominees. Hooker is up against England’s brash and skilful flank, Henry Pollock, who also toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2025, All Black lock Fabian Holland and Wallaby centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. #### **Quality** “I’d like to congratulate Pieter-Steph, Malcolm, Ox and Ethan for being recognised among the best players in the world,” South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander said. “To have three of the four nominees for Men’s 15s Player of the Year from South Africa, as well as Ethan in the Breakthrough category, is a testament to the quality of our players on the global stage. ![Malcolm Marx of South Africa is tackled by Oscar Jegou of France during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on November 08, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LFdbq38vUjI2F0jPb_cusP6Iprw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2245730402.jpg) *Malcolm Marx is tackled by Oscar Jegou against Les Bleus at Stade de France in Paris on 8 November 2025. (Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)* ![Ethan Hooker of South Africa scores a try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Italy and South Africa at Allianz Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo: Timothy Rogers / Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/8silZJ2BWU7Hxro3FXc8iImGX0o=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2246826633.jpg) *Ethan Hooker scores against Italy at Allianz Stadium in Turin on 15 November 2025. (Photo: Timothy Rogers / Getty Images)* “They have all performed exceptionally well this season and deserve this recognition. On behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country, I want to express how proud we are of them. “We wish them well ahead of Saturday’s announcement. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated is already a remarkable achievement.” Pollock is probably the favourite for the Breakthrough of the Year gong, although no one in that category delivered a performance on the level of Hooker’s against the All Blacks in Wellington. The young Sharks man has been impressive, but in Wellington when the Boks produced a record 43-10 win over the All Blacks, Hooker was sublime. ![Ox Nche of South Africa charges forward during The Rugby Championship match between New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa Springboks at Sky Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo: Joe Allison / Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Y6HY66jlOXrMKRqv1ym0FbyJzpw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2235161870.jpg) *Ox Nche charges forward during a Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Springboks at Sky Stadium in Wellington on 13 September 2025. (Photo: Joe Allison / Getty Images)* ![Pieter-Steph du Toit of the South Africa Springboks charges upfield during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa Springboks and Argentina at Allianz Stadium on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/4tmGcvWohkGrM1tqhEEy8u3FvA8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2239232195.jpg) *Pieter-Steph du Toit charges upfield during the Boks’ Rugby Championship match against Argentina in London on 4 October 2025. (Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)* Du Toit and Nche have been consistently brilliant in 2025, while Marx’s performances have become stronger as the season has progressed. Nche’s unfortunate leg injury, sustained against Japan, ended his November tour and cost him valuable game time, but considering the Boks’ dominant scrum throughout the year, with Nche the most dominant of all the scrummagers, he has a good case for the award. It would also be a good moment for the less-glamorous players in the sport. Only one front-ranker – Keith Wood in 2001 – has won the World Player of the Year title. There is no nomination for World Coach of the Year, but the award will be presented. Bok mentor Rassie Erasmus is certainly a candidate, although England women’s coach John Mitchell, who guided his team to a World Cup title, is also worthy. **DM** #### **Nominees** #### **International Rugby Players Men’s 15s Try of the Year** Santiago Cordero (Argentina, v British and Irish Lions – June) Santiago Pedrero (Chile, v Samoa, South America/Pacific Play-off, RWC 2027 qualifier – October) Lekima Tagitagivalu (Fiji, v Australia, men’s international – July) Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand, v France, men’s international – July) #### **World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year** Recognising emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the international stage in 2025. Fabian Holland (New Zealand) Ethan Hooker (South Africa) Henry Pollock (England) Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Australia) #### **World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year** Celebrating the individual who has consistently delivered world‑class performances and inspired fans across the globe. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) Malcolm Marx (South Africa) Ox Nche (South Africa)