World Rugby Awards Presented to Du Toit, Kildunne, and Dupont

England and Harlequins full-back Ellie Kildunne has been named World Rugby’s women’s player of the year, while South Africa forward Pieter-Steph du Toit secured the men’s award for the second time. Kildunne played a role in England retaining the WXV1 title in October, and Du Toit’s South Africa claimed the Rugby Championship in September. France’s Antoine Dupont was recognized as the men’s sevens player of the year, following his transition from XVs and his contribution to his country’s Olympic title victory in July. Kildunne, 25, received her award following a notable year, during which she was crowned 2024 Women’s Six Nations player of the championship, helped England retain their WXV1 title, and scored 14 tries in nine tests for the Red Roses. Du Toit, who first won the men’s award in 2019 after the Springboks’ World Cup win, played a key role in a team that secured the Rugby Championship and 11 of their 13 Tests this year. The awards ceremony in Monaco also saw Ireland back row Erin King win the women’s breakthrough player of the year award, and New Zealand flanker Wallace Sititi receive the men’s breakthrough player award. Kildunne has earned 48 caps for England. The award for England back Kildunne is a result of a year during which she contributed to her side’s Six Nations Grand Slam and represented Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they finished seventh. She prevailed over Red Roses team-mate Alex Matthews for the award, as well as France’s Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Canada’s Alex Tessier. Kildunne’s prolific try-scoring has established her as one of the leading players for John Mitchell’s Red Roses, who are on a 20-match winning run and are now favourites for next year’s World Cup in England. In the last 12 months, the Harlequins back has become one of England’s most recognisable women’s rugby players, in addition to her ventures in fashion design, photography, and launching her own podcast with fellow Red Rose Jess Breach. “I haven’t even scratched the surface of my potential,” Kildunne told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.”Genuinely there is so much more to come. I am an ideas person anyway, I was getting a massage the other day and was picturing a certain kick I could do on a counter attack.”There is so much more to come and I hope to keep being part of this successful Red Roses team.” Pieter-Steph du Toit’s try contributed to the world champions’ 29-20 victory over England in November. Du Toit, 32, is the first South African to win the men’s award twice, with his initial win occurring five years ago. The 86-time capped Springbok, who demonstrated dominance in both flanker and lock positions in 2024, triumphed over team-mates Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe for the title, alongside Ireland captain Caelan Doris. Etzebeth has been nominated three times, in 2014, 2023, and 2024, but has yet to win the award. Du Toit flew back to Europe for the ceremony after previously returning to South Africa for assessment of a shoulder injury. However, he did not arrive in time for the presentation, with his wife Willemien collecting the prize on his behalf. “I was actually standing next to the baggage claim when I got a message from my friend and my wife to say that I had won the award,” Du Toit told Rugby Union Weekly. “I think it is actually quite suitable [that his wife picked up the award] for all the support she gave me through the years.”I am just grateful to be part of the wonderful Springboks team at the moment, if you look at the top-class players at the moment any one of them could stand here and take any position in the dream team.” Antoine Dupont scored two tries in France’s gold medal match at Paris 2024. Dupont, 28, initiated a strong performance for the host nation at the Paris Olympics, coming off the bench to guide France to a 28-7 victory over Fiji in the final. Already a star in the XV-a-side ranks, captain of his country, and voted 2021 player of the year, Dupont’s transition to sevens proved seamless, as he guided his team throughout the competition. His pivotal contribution occurred in the final, entering the game at half-time with the score at 7-7, where he provided a remarkable assist and subsequently scored two tries himself. The Toulouse scrum-half opted to forgo the 2024 Six Nations to focus on preparations for the Olympics, but he returned to the France XV for the autumn internationals, which included a 30-29 win over the All Blacks. “It was a wonderful year for me – it was tough to play XVs and sevens but really worth it,” he told Rugby Union Weekly. “We were lucky to experience an Olympics at home, so when you win it the atmosphere in the stadium was completely insane.” Dupont left open the possibility of a return to sevens for France’s title defence at Los Angeles 2028. “Never say never,” he added. “We will see in four years to see how my body and mind will be but maybe.” Elsewhere, Ireland’s King received the women’s breakthrough award, having only debuted internationally in XVs in September, while New Zealand flanker Sititi won the men’s breakthrough player award. King won four caps and made an impression during a WXV1 campaign where Ireland secured second place, notably achieving a victory over world champions New Zealand. She also represented her country in sevens at the Paris Olympics and subsequently gained social media attention. During a restart in their match against Team GB, she demonstrated her strength by holding team-mate Emily Lane above her head, preventing her from falling backward before safely lowering her with the ball.