TOP MARX

SPRINGBOK hooker Malcolm Marx thanked sy span se “Team First” culture after being crowned World Rugby Player of the year on Saturday.

The gong was made even sweeter for the front-rower after helping his side end a 13-year drought as the Bokke beat Ireland 24-13 in Dublin on Saturday. It was the first time since 2012 that South Africa tasted victory in Ireland.

Marx beat out teammates Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, as well as French wing Louis Bielle-Biarry for the gong as New Zealand rookie Fabian Holland crowned Breakthrough Player of the Year.

South Africa’s Ethan Hooker was nominated for Breakthrough Player of the Year.

For Marx, the award is well-deserved as some mense say he still carries with him a bit of what ifs after an injury during the 2023 World Cup saw him sitting on the sidelines and watch his pals lift back-to-back World Cups in France.

Of how that hartseer moment was the driving factor behind him becoming the best in the world, he said:  “It was not easy watching a big part of the 2023 World Cup from back home. However, I am not the first to have gone through that... It drove me to contribute more to this team.”

Of bagging the top gong, Marx wysed: “It’s a huge privilege and honour. But none of this would have been possible without my teammates and how well we have done throughout this year.

“I can’t put my finger on one specific thing that makes this group so special. We have a very family-orientated environment. We care deeply for each other, that is what makes it so special. Where everyone pulls in one direction, with the same goals of being the best in the world.”

Touching on Saturday’s win over the Irish and how difficult of a contest it was, Marx added:  “It was a tough game and having that many scrums wasn’t pleasing on the neck, but they are a quality side with a quality pack, so obviously, we had to grind it out and apply as much pressure as we could to get the rewards from it.

“They did extremely well in the second half to hold us out and we had a few penalties, but they are a quality side and they showed that on the field.”