South Africa find a spring in their step to dominate game

A captivating year saw lots of storylines including a thrilling sevens tournaments at the Paris Olympics, Antoine Dupont magic and a Springboks double, writes Harry Latham-Coyle

- Harry Latham-Coyle

Another thrilling year in rugby has come and gone with plenty to captivate supporters around the world.

The Red Roses romped to another Six Nations grand slam and the Springboks showcased their strength with a Rugby Championship crown, while in the club game, Toulouse secured a Top 14 and Champions Cup double.

In sevens, France’s men and New Zealand’s women won gold as sevens stepped up to the grandest of stages at Paris 2024. New stars like Aoife Wafer and Wallace Sititi came to the fore, while old hands including Courtney Lawes and Portia WoodmanWickcliffe were given farewells to savour.

The Independent’s rugby correspondent Harry Latham-Coyle has picked out some of the highlights of 2024.

Game of the year

A year full of rugby treats, from England’s coming of age against Ireland through the Red Roses glorious grand slam-securing triumph in Bordeaux to an action-packed November. My favourite game, though, might have been the Champions Cup final as Toulouse edged Leinster in extra time at Tottenham, a fabulous ground playing host to a proper nerve-shredder that pulsated with energy and intensity. Any opportunity to see the remarkable Antoine Dupont in the flesh is one to be relished.

Moment of the year

Speaking of which... while the 15-a-side game has provided many highlights, the success of sevens at Paris 2024 felt like a huge moment for a format facing more than a few questions about its future. While Fiji’s golds in Rio and Tokyo were great, this felt like rugby’s true arrival at the Olympics, and Dupont and the rest of the French squad’s triumph really kicked off the Games in style.

Men’s player of the year