Marx Crowned World Rugby Player of the Year
- Karen Scheepers
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
South African rugby celebrated a landmark achievement on Saturday when Malcolm Marx was named the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, becoming only the fourth Springbok in history to receive the sport’s most prestigious individual honour. His win marked another layer of historic significance: for the first time ever, South Africa produced back-to-back winners of the award, underscoring a golden era in national rugby excellence.
Marx succeeded teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit, who won the award in 2024 (as well as in 2019), making him the first South African player to claim the accolade twice. The 2025 award thus completes a unique one-two sequence for the Springboks and reinforces the remarkable consistency of the team under the guidance of head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Marx’s Influence: A Complete Modern Hooker
At 31 years old, Malcolm Marx has evolved into one of the most complete forwards in world rugby. His influence extends far beyond scoring tries, he dominates scrums, stabilises lineouts, disrupts breakdowns, and makes relentless contributions in general play. These attributes have shaped much of South Africa’s success over the past three seasons.
Throughout the 2025 international calendar, Marx’s performances were central to South Africa’s identity: powerful, disciplined, and tactically precise. He stood out in the Rugby Championship, the November tour, and high-pressure Tests where set-piece supremacy and defensive rigor mattered most.
Marx’s nomination came alongside two teammates:
Pieter-Steph du Toit: 2024 and 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year
Ox Nche: Widely regarded as one of the best scrummaging props in global rugby
Together, they formed three of the four nominees, an unprecedented show of Springbok influence at world level.
Joining an Elite Group of South African Greats
Marx’s entry into the World Rugby honour roll places him beside just three other Springboks who have previously claimed the title:
Schalk Burger (2004)
Bryan Habana (2007)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (2019 & 2024)
He was also a previous nominee in 2018, when he narrowly missed out on the prize after a standout season during the early stages of Rassie Erasmus’s rebuilding era.
In South African rugby circles, Marx has long been regarded as a generational talent - a player equally capable of dominance in tight spaces and unexpected brilliance in the loose. With two Rugby World Cup titles, a British & Irish Lions series victory, and sustained excellence across all formats, the 2025 global accolade now confirms his place among the most influential Springbok forwards of the modern era.
National Recognition and Leadership Praise
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander praised Marx for his professionalism and consistency, highlighting qualities that define the Springbok culture. “His work ethic is unbelievable, and he embodies everything we value in a Springbok – resilience, commitment and character.”
Alexander also acknowledged the significance of having three of the four global nominees come from South Africa, along with Ethan Hooker, who earned a nomination for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
The strong representation in all categories reflects not only elite talent, but also the enduring depth built under Erasmus’s leadership. Continuity, squad cohesion, and a powerful player-development system have allowed South Africa to produce world-class forwards and backs season after season.
Back-to-Back Wins: What It Means for the Springboks
For the first time ever, South African players have won the World Rugby Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons:
2024 – Pieter-Steph du Toit
2025 – Malcolm Marx
This achievement speaks not just to individual brilliance but also to a system that enables players to flourish on the biggest stages:
A powerful, well-conditioned pack
Intelligent squad rotation
Elite coaching and analytics
A team environment built on accountability and unity
The Springboks are in an era where both their star players and their collective identity are recognised globally.
Looking Ahead: Marx’s Role in the Next Phase
At 31, Marx remains central to South Africa’s future plans. While the next Rugby World Cup cycle is still unfolding, his form, fitness, and experience will be vital as Rassie Erasmus continues to blend established veterans with emerging talents like Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Zachary Porthen.
The Springboks' forward pack has long been their foundation. With Marx reaching his peak, and with Du Toit, Etzebeth, and Kolisi still operating at world-class levels, South Africa remains perfectly positioned to compete for major titles through the next three seasons.
Final Whistle
Malcolm Marx’s crowning as the 2025 World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year represents more than individual excellence, it captures the essence of South African rugby’s current dominance. From his devastating physicality to his uncompromising precision in the tight phases, Marx exemplifies the type of player who defines an era.
His award celebrates resilience, consistency, and the unrelenting hunger that continues to shape the Springbok legacy. For South Africa, for Marx, and for world rugby, this accolade marks a moment that will stand proudly in the sport’s history.
All image credits: Springboks
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