Siya Kolisi’s Springboks wrapped up their first full Rugby Championship title against Argentina in the sixth and final round at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. Here were the side’s five best players on a special day for the back-to-back world champions.
Cheslin Kolbe
In Kolbe, Jesse Kriel and Pieter-Steph du Toit, the Boks have a trio worthy of making this list every time they pull on the Green and Gold. Regarded by many as the best player on the planet right now, Chessie had another superb outing on the right wing, scoring one try and assisting another. The Tokyo Sungoliath man made 82 carry meters and three clean breaks, with his work ethic, quick feet and game awareness again at the forefront of the Boks’ efforts in Mpumalanga.
POTENTIAL IRB PLAYER OF THE YEAR CHESLIN KOLBE🔥#MTNSpringboks24 #30YearsOfProgress #RSAvARG #RugbyChampionship #EE128 #springboks 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/rYD4wTkiv0
— Audrin Van Schoor (@audas_vanschoor) September 28, 2024
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Another serious contender for what would be a second World Player of the Year title, the indefatigable loose forward was named official Player of the Match on the day. His two-try performance also included 10 tackles, 31 carry meters and one turnover, as du Toit pulled out all the stops to ensure his big buddy Eben Etzebeth celebrated his milestone 128th-Test match in style.
PSdT never stops 🔋⚡
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 28, 2024
He crashes over for the Boks 👇
📺 Stream #TRC2024 on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/3sWT13nAAa
Jesse Kriel
Kriel scored for the second week in a row in an 80 minute performance that featured 102 meters made with ball in hand, three clean breaks and four tackles. As generational a player as Lukhanyo Am is, the Canon Eagle’s midfield partnership with Damian de Allende doesn’t seem likely to be broken up anytime soon, with Kriel’s supreme conditioning and consistency meaning he still has plenty of years left in him.
Manie Libbok
Libbok put his round five demons behind him to produce one of his finest displays in national colours. Unburdened by place-kicking responsibilities, the Stormer set the Bok backline alight with some exceptional kick-passing, distribution out of hand and decision-making. Tonyball was made for players like Manie, and he showed why on Saturday. What a way to keep the naysayers’ mouths shut.
Jirrie Manie!!! pic.twitter.com/aiQgWlA1Bm
— Gebaita!! 🇿🇦🏉 (@Da_Me_3) September 29, 2024
Frans Malherbe
Pumas No 1 Thomas Gallo again had to endure the wrath of arguably the game’s finest tighthead, with Malherbe putting on another front-row masterclass and gaining plenty of momentum for the double World Cup-winners at scrum time. He also made five tackles during his 44 mintes on the park.
