World Rugby Awards: Men’s Player of the Year and Breakthrough Player of the Year assessment

By Charlie Elliott

The Men’s 15s World Player and Breakthrough Player of the Year nominees have been announced, with the best of the best in international rugby being recognised for the year that they’ve had. 

With an expectedly Springbok heavy nomination for the main award and a more mixed group for the breakthrough section, England star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is the only one of Steve Borthwick’s men who is in the final four of either award. 

Here is a rundown of all eight nominees and why they should win their respective awards: 

Men’s 15s World Player of the Year: 

Caelan Doris (Ireland) 

As the only non-Springbok in the list, Caelan Doris has led Ireland to some spectacular wins this year, and although the past couple of weeks have been tough for his side, he has still shown a lot of quality from number eight. 

After being promoted to captain earlier on this year, Doris has stepped up a gear and cemented himself as the best in his position, going toe-to-toe with all who dare challenge him. 

He is probably the most unlikely to win, given South African dominance this year, but as an individual is more than in the mix. 

Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) 

South Africa have been immense the past few years, and Eben Etzebeth has been central to their physical approach to rugby whilst also retaining good ball skills. 

A dominant player who no one can come close to physically, and an underrated ball carrier, Etzebeth has it all. 

The embodiment of the South African way, Eben is unstoppable. 

The lock was nominated last year and arguably should have won over Ardie Savea, so maybe this year is his year. 

Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) 

A previous nominee for this award in 2019, losing out to fellow nominee and Springboks teammate Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Kolbe will believe that now is his time for the award.

Playing mainly as a winger, he is notorious for his speed and his trademark side-step, both of which were on full display against England and Freddie Steward. 

His diminutive stature may seem unassuming, but it is his work rate that sets him apart from the rest, with him often putting in huge tackles on players double his size and never knowing when to give up. 

As the only back in the list, his overall impact for South Africa this year has been unmatched. 

Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa) 

Rounding off the nominees is Springboks lock Pieter-Steph Du Toit. Another monster who cannot be beaten under any circumstances whilst on the pitch, PSDT has managed to score the same amount of tries as Kolbe in 2024, all from number seven or lock.

Those kinds of numbers going forward, as well as retaining the fundamentals to an elite level, are a combination that is unplayable against.  

His versatility as a flanker cannot be underestimated, and he looks just as comfortable in this secondary position. 

Consistency personified, having already won this award in 2019, Du Toit is probably the front runner for the award and would become only the fourth player ever to win it more than once, alongside: Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Richie McCaw.

Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: 

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa) 

It is sometimes easy to forget just how young Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is, with him only being 22 years-old, but playing like a seasoned veteran.

The fly-half has recently got injured, something that was aggravated by his desire to play through it and not tell the medical team. 

This injury came at the wrong time and if based on general quality he would be hugely in contention, but this injury has hampered his prospects of the award this year. 

However, he has a huge future and has come on leaps and bounds this year. 

Many see Sacha as another Damian Willemse, with both having similar attributes of being classy players and just getting involved with everything they can.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu was born to be a rugby player, and the nonchalant nature of his play reflects this. 

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) 

Electric winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been superb for England, providing endless amounts of threat in an otherwise pretty average year for his country. 

Although not the biggest, his power is one of his best assets, and he really announced himself onto the scene with a recent try against New Zealand. 

As someone who is currently doing a medical degree alongside rugby, Immanuel is clearly a disciplined and hard-working person, and these lend themselves to him having a great career ahead of him. 

Jamie Osborne (Ireland) 

A brand-new addition to the Ireland setup, having only made his debut this summer, Osborne being considered for this award shows just how impressive he has been so far.

Facing South Africa on tour at fullback (something which he hadn’t played for two years) and doing a good job in his debut test shows great versatility and teamwork. 

Primarily a centre, he will be hoping that in a few years he will learn from teammate Bundee Aki to push him to the next level, and most fans believe he is the heir to Aki’s position. 

Wallace Sititi (New Zealand) 

The clear front runner for this award, words cannot describe how good Sititi has been for the All Blacks this year. 

England fans will know all about Sititi, after he ran them ragged in the win at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) recently. 

After being thrown in at the deep end against the Springboks and standing out as one of the best players, everyone realised just how talented this kid is.

As a flanker or eight, he provides power and athleticism to the All Blacks and is one the best in the world from the lineout, due to his explosiveness. 

Wallace Sititi has the potential to be an all-time great, and realistically this award is his to lose. 

READ MORE: Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week: Cheslin Kolbe headlines Springbok-dominant XV