Du Toit declared player of the year as South Africa sweep awards
South Africa flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit was named World Rugby player of the year yesterday, in a clean sweep of the main awards for the World Cup-winning Springboks.
Rassie Erasmus won coach of the year and South Africa also took the team award at a glittering ceremony in Tokyo, a day after they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time.
The 27-year-old, who plays his club rugby for Western Province, was instrumental in South Africa’s World Cup campaign, especially effective at the breakdown and winning the battle against England’s famed “kamikaze boys” back row in the final.
“It’s a massive honour for me to accept this award,” said Du Toit. “I think when we come back [to South Africa], it’s going to be an unbelievable experience. We can’t wait to get home. We miss our country so much,” added the Springbok. Du Toit beat off competition including team-mate wing Cheslin Kolbe, as well as All Black Ardie Savea and England’s Tom Curry.
Erasmus took over as director of rugby at the end of 2017 and shortly afterwards doubled his responsibilities by becoming head coach following the sacking of Allister Coetzee after a miserable run of 12 losses from 25 games over two seasons.
He has turned the Boks’ fortunes around in less than two years, culminating in Saturday’s win when Siya Kolisi, their first black captain, lifted the trophy in Yokohama. But South Africa now have to look for Erasmus’ replacement. The Springbok coach had stated long before the title win that he would return to his role of director of rugby, allowing for a new man to take the team forward.
Bok defence coach Jacques Nienaber is also likely to stay on and is a trusted lieutenant of Erasmus after they served together in the army and have worked side-by-side at South Africa’s Cheetahs and Stormers, and at Munster in Ireland.
Former Southern Kings coach Deon Davids has long been thought of as a possible successor, with his inexperience boosted by the support of Erasmus and Nienaber.