Schalk Brits on Malcolm Marx World Rugby award - One for the hookers, man!
Schalk Brits (pictured) praised Malcolm Marx for winning the World Rugby Player of the Year award, highlighting the exceptional performances of South African players and the proud celebrations that followed. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
From one hooker to another, Schalk Brits had nothing but praise for Malcolm Marx after the Springbok was named World Rugby Player of the Year over the weekend.
Marx was nominated alongside teammates, hooker Ox Nche and lock Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The 31-year-old Marx produced another top display in South Africa’s 24-13 win over Ireland on Saturday, which was the Springboks’ first win in Dublin since 2012.
The cherry on top for the Springboks and Marx in particular was the announcement after the final whistle that he had walked away with the top prize.
Ox Nche’s Phenomenal Year and Malcolm Marx’s World Rugby Player of the Year Celebration: A Proud Moment for South African Rugby
"Ah, one for the hookers, man! From the word go, I felt Ox Nche played a phenomenal year last year. No disrespect to any other player, but I thought he was quite unlucky not to make it - perhaps that's me being biased towards South Africans,” Brits told CoinCasino.com.
"But it is amazing. Malcolm has shown form, Ox has shown form. It really says something when our players get selected like this.”
Videos of the celebrations for Marx quickly made the rounds on social media, and Brits said it was heartwarming to witness such scenes.
"The culture of that side is really amazing. You saw the celebration around the team when Malcolm won World Rugby Player of the Year.
"I'm glad for him, his family, and the team. It's a proud moment. I feel I played a very, very small part - at the risk of sounding arrogant! But I can call him a friend, a competitor, and a teammate. So, that is fantastic. He is a cut above the rest, I would say."