DUBLIN (AP) — South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx was crowned the men's world rugby player of the year on Saturday, moments after his Springboks beat Ireland 24-13 in Dublin.

Marx won the award for the first time, and seven years after his only other nomination.

Also shortlisted were teammates Pieter-Steph du Toit, the award winner in 2019 and 2024, and Ox Nche, the first prop to be nominated in the award's 24-year history.

Also nominated was France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, whose eight tries in the Six Nations were the most in a single tournament in 100 years.

Marx was the joint leading try-scorer with four in the Rugby Championship that South Africa won. His five test tries this year improved his record to 26 in 86 tests; the only forward in South Africa's all-time top 10.

He's also

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