Malcolm Marx Wins SA Rugby Player Of The Year After Dominant 2025 Season With The Springboks
- Malcolm Marx claimed the top honour at the SA Rugby Awards after a commanding season for the South Africa national rugby union team
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu arrived at the ceremony as a strong favourite but missed out on the main prize despite his standout club campaign
- Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks were also recognised after guiding South Africa through a dominant international season
- Briefly News spoke exclusively to a sports analyst to get his views on the Awards
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx capped off an outstanding year in the gold and green with another top prize at the 2025 SA Rugby Awards held on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
Source: Getty Images
On a night where history was on the cusp for the 24-year-old Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also had a terrific season that saw him break Percy Montgomery's record in the game against Argentina, there were high hopes that he could take the big award of the night, among other notable ones.
Malcolm Marx wins SA Rugby Player of the Year
But the big night and the big award belonged to Marx, who won the SA Rugby Player of the Year prize, adding to the World Rugby Player of the Year honour he earned in 2025.
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He last claimed the accolade in 2017 and beat veteran Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, who were also nominated for the World Rugby award.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus came out on top in the coaches' category after leading the South Africa national rugby union team to an 85% winning rate. He also inspired the side to the Rugby Championship title while maintaining South Africa's position at the top of the world rankings.
He swayed off the challenge of the Sevens rugby coach as well as the South Africa women's national rugby union team coaches, who were significant contenders for the gong. The Springboks, as expected, won Team of the Year.
Sacha misses out on a major award
Feinberg-Mngomezulu managed to win the URC Player of the Year award but was pipped by Ethan Hooker, who took the Young Player of the Year award.
Source: Getty Images
It could have come as a disappointment, as many expected him to take the main prize and the Young Player of the Year award. He could have made history by becoming only the third player to achieve this.
Briefly News spoke exclusively to sports journalist Brighton Bafana, who offered a deeper look at the drama and decisions behind the 2025 SA Rugby Awards.
On Malcolm Marx winning Player of the Year:
"Marx’s consistency and leadership on the field this year were unmatched. He doesn’t just perform, he elevates the team around him, and that’s exactly what the award recognises."
On Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missing out on the main award:
"Sacha had a phenomenal season, breaking records and showing immense skill. But sometimes awards are as much about influence across the squad as individual stats. The voters clearly valued Marx’s overall impact."
On the Springboks’ international dominance:
"Rassie Erasmus has built a system where the Springboks aren’t just winning, they’re controlling games. That 85% win rate doesn’t happen by accident; it’s discipline, vision, and execution."
Bafana also noted that while social media reactions were mixed, the awards highlighted the depth of South African rugby talent, with rising stars like Ethan Hooker and experienced campaigners like Marx shaping the future of the game.
Springboks fans were quick to react to the winners, and some expressed their displeasure.
@MrMonkwe:
"Yep, he carried us the entire time. 👏🏾"
@Tian_priv20:
"Sacha robbed."
@Giles43235302:
"And now he'll probably get injured and miss the RWC."
@ZSonkwala:
"Sacha got robbed. Marx doesn't even deserve it."
@9eToT357702:
"Well deserved."
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander said Marx had led the charge for the Springboks and fully deserved the honour alongside his World Rugby Player of the Year accolade. He added that Nadine Roos had been the spark behind the best season the Springbok Women had ever produced.
Sacha fires back after ‘windgat’ claims
Briefly News previously reported that Springbok sensation Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has fired a pointed response at critics who have branded him “arrogant” and “windgat”, turning the noise into fuel after another standout performance for South Africa.
Sacha posted a carousel of match moments on Instagram on Saturday, the very incidents that had dominated online chatter
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Source: Briefly News
