South African Pieter-Steph du Toit crowned player of the year for the second time

Two other South Africans were in the running

Since the creation of the player of the year in 2001, only two other South Africans have received this trophy: Schalk Burger, in 2004, then Brian Habana in 2007. Du Toit's double brings to four the number of distinctions received by the Springboks. Against 11 for the New Zealanders (Richie McCaw 3 times, Dan Carter 3 times, Beauden Barrett 2 times, Brodie Retallick, Kieran Read and Ardie Savea, 1 time) just ahead of Ireland (Keith Wood, Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier) and France (Fabien Galthié, Thierry Dusautoir and Antoine Dupont)