World's best again?

HISTORY beckons for Springbok flank Pieter-Steph du Toit after being nominated alongside two fellow South Africans Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche for World Rugby's Player of the Year.

- BY FRANCOIS DE WET

Du Toit, current holder of this title after a jitz 2024 season, could become only the third player to win the individual prize for a derde time, when the winner is announced on Saturday at the World Rugby Awards ceremony.

New Zealand's Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are the only players to be crowned the world's best on three occasions.

Du Toit could also become the first South African to win back-to-back Player of the Year gongs, and join Kiwis Beauden Barrett (2017 and 2018), McCaw (2009 and 2010) as the only other two players to achieve the feat.