Congratulations to Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx, who walks away with the title for the second time! He has reached a historic career milestone by securing the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award for 2025, repeating the feat he first achieved in 2017.
The powerhouse front-rower who resembles an invincible character straight out of a superhero magazine, added this local title to his World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year accolade which he received late last year.
“He is a kind-hearted, rock-solid machine and team mate who simply never has a bad game.” – JAY
Marx now joins a small, elite group of players who have won the title more than once. Legendary flyhalf Naas Botha still leads the pack with four titles, while modern greats Bryan Habana and Pieter-Steph du Toit have each won it three times.
Marx enters the history books alongside two-time winners Uli Schmidt, Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Jean de Villiers, Duane Vermeulen, and Eben Etzebeth. The announcement came during the biggest SA Rugby Awards ceremony ever celebrated in Cape Town following a golden year for the sport.
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander noted that Marx led the charge for the Springboks during a season where they won 11 of their 13 Tests and defended the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title.
The recognition of Marx comes as the Springboks were also named Team of the Year while Rassie Erasmus took home the Coach of the Year award.
According to official reports from SA Rugby, the 2025 season will remain etched in the memories of fans for decades to come as one of the finest years in South African rugby history.
Marx remains a vital pillar of the national setup as the structures of South African rugby continue to thrive at the franchise and provincial levels.
📸 Photos via SA RUGBY
