The newly-crowned world champions Springboks stole the thunder at this year's World Rugby Awards in Tokyo on Sunday. Just 24 hours after South Africa lifted their third Webb Ellis Cup with an emphatic 32-12 victory over England in the finals in Yokohama, a slew of past and present legends of the Rugby Union came together and celebrated the outstanding achievers of the year at The Prince Park Tower in the Japanese capital. On a night to remember, several top honors were taken away by the sensational South Africans.

Flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit led the list of awardees for the Boks as he was named World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year 2019. Du Toit, who scored the first try for his side in the opening game against the All Blacks, became the third Springbok to bag the prestigious award after Schalk Burger and Bryan Habana. He has been in outstanding form throughout the year and played a pivotal role in the breakdowns against England in Saturday's final and secured seven turnovers for his triumphant side. Du Toit received the prestigious award edging out five other nominees – Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, England flanker Tom Curry, New Zealand flanker Ardie Savea, fellow Bok Cheslin Kolbe and USA hooker Joe Taufete'e.

It was indeed a night of celebration for the Springboks as they were crowned World Rugby Team of the Year for the first time since 2009 while their World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus was named World Rugby Coach of the Year.

The list of other key awardees for the night included England's Emily Scarratt (World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year), Frenchman Romain Ntamack (World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year), Jerry Tuwai of Fiji (World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year), referee Wayne Barnes of England (World Rugby Referee Award) and All Blacks star TJ Perenara (IRP Try of the Year – New Zealand, v Namibia). Meanwhile, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "This has been a very special year for rugby, culminating in one of the great Rugby World Cups."

"All of the nominees should be very proud, but Pieter-Steph du Toit and Emily Scarratt have been outstanding this year and thoroughly deserve their accolade. They have not just demonstrated their excellence on the field, but they are also superb ambassadors for the game and an inspiration for a new generation of players and fans."