Paris, France – Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was awarded the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year for 2025 at the annual awards ceremony held on 23 November 2025.
The 31-year-old beat finalists Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Ox Nché to claim the title, becoming the fourth South African to win the award after Pieter-Steph du Toit in 2019, Schalk Brits in 2009 and Bryan Habana in 2007.
Marx played in all 13 Tests for South Africa in 2025, starting 11 and appearing as a substitute in two. He scored four tries during the season and was a central figure in the Springboks’ dominant scrum performances throughout the Rugby Championship and the Autumn Nations Series.
South Africa finished the 2025 international season with 11 victories from 13 Tests, including retaining the Rugby Championship title and recording wins over Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Scotland and Ireland.
The award follows the Springboks being named World Rugby Team of the Year for the fourth time in seven years at the same ceremony. Rassie Erasmus was also confirmed as World Rugby Coach of the Year for 2025.
