2001 Keith Wood, Ireland

2002 Fabien Galthie, France

2003 Jonny Wilkinson, England

2004 Schalk Burger, South Africa

2005 Dan Carter, New Zealand

2006 Richie McCaw, New Zealand

2007 Bryan Habana, France

2008 Shane Williams, Wales

2009 Richie McCaw, New Zealand

2010 Richie McCaw, New Zealand

2011 Thierry Dusautoir, France

2012 Dan Carter, New Zealand

2013 Kieran Read, New Zealand

2014 Brodie Retallick, New Zealand

2015 Dan Carter, New Zealand

2016 Beauden Barrett, New Zealand

2017 Beauden Barrett, New Zealand

2018 Jonathan Sexton, Ireland

2019 Pieter-Steph du Toit, South Africa

2020 Not awarded

2021 Antoine Dupont, France

2022 Josh van der Flier, Ireland

2023 Ardie Savea, New Zealand

2024 Pieter-Steph du Toit, South Africa

2025 Malcolm Marx, South Africa