South Africa’s Malcolm Marx has been named men’s 15s player of the year at the World Rugby Awards, becoming the first hooker to win the award since 2001.
The 31-year-old has started 11 of the Springboks’ 13 Tests so far this year, scoring five tries.
Compatriots Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, and France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey, were also nominated.
Keith Wood is the only other hooker to win the award, doing so in its inaugural year.
Marx has played a key role in an impressive year for South Africa, who defended their Rugby Championship title and lost just two games.
Meanwhile, New Zealand second row Fabian Holland, 23, was named men’s 15s breakthrough player of the year.
Holland has made 12 appearances for New Zealand since his debut against France in July and played in Saturday’s 52-26 victory over Wales.
He beat 20-year-old England flanker Henry Pollock, South Africa’s Ethan Hooker and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the prize.
Chile’s Santiago Pedrero won men’s 15s try of the year for his score against Samoa in World Cup qualifying after an intricate team move.
Canada lock Sophie de Goede was named women’s player of the year in September, with England’s World Cup-winning head coach John Mitchell named World Rugby’s coach of the year.