Rugby-Du Toit wins SA rugby award for second time in three years

Pieter-Steph du Toit was named the South African Rugby Player of the Year for 2018 on Thursday, the second time in three years the versatile forward has won the award. He is only the fifth player to win it twice, edging fellow Springboks Aphiwe Dyanyti, Franco Mostert, Handre Pollard and last year’s winner, Malcolm Marx, for this year's accolade, the South African Rugby Union said.

Du Toit, who captained an under-strength South African side in the test against Wales in June, made 202 tackles, 128 ball carries and took 28 lineouts in 14 tests last year and was one of two players who featured in every Springboks match of 2018. “Pieter-Steph was simply superb last year and he thoroughly deserves this award. His contribution to the team, as a tireless work horse who never gives up, but also as one of the leaders in our squad, was invaluable,” coach Rassie Erasmus said. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson, Editing by Ed Osmond)