Springbok prop Thomas du Toit would most probably walk straight into most international teams because of his quality and his ability to pack down on both sides of the scrum.
But such is the quality and depth in the Springboks’ front row that he only played at the 2019 Rugby World Cup because of an injury, while he missed out out completely in 2023.
That must have been painful to take for the former Paarl Boys’ High prop, who had been identified as potential Springbok from a very young age.
After making his Springboks’ debut in 2018, Du Toit has only managed to 21 appearances for the Springboks, which includes only eight starts. He has had to bide his time behind the likes of Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch and Trevor Nyakane on the tighthead side, while the Boks are also well-stocked at loosehead.
However, after turning 29 in May, he still has another shot at a Rugby World Cup in 2027. And that journey arguably starts on Saturday in Argentina when the Boks face Los Pumas in what has been billed as an epic scrum battle.
😂 "If it wasn't for the scrum, me and Tommy would have other jobs!"
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 3, 2023
Frans Malherbe, Thomas Du Toit and Makazole Mapimpi sit down with Nolusindiso Booi and some fans in the next episode of '𝘾![CDATA[]]>𝙤![CDATA[]]>𝙣![CDATA[]]>𝙫![CDATA[]]>𝙚![CDATA[]]>𝙧![CDATA[]]>𝙨![CDATA[]]>𝙖![CDATA[]]>𝙩![CDATA[]]>𝙞![CDATA[]]>𝙤![CDATA[]]>𝙣![CDATA[]]>𝙨 𝙬![CDATA[]]>𝙞![CDATA[]]>𝙩![CDATA[]]>𝙝 𝙖 𝙎![CDATA[]]>𝙥![CDATA[]]>𝙧![CDATA[]]>𝙞![CDATA[]]>𝙣![CDATA[]]>𝙜![CDATA[]]>𝙗![CDATA[]]>𝙤![CDATA[]]>𝙠'. pic.twitter.com/oxauA4UHit
A top performance in Santiago del Estero will go a long way in determining the Bath prop’s long-term Bok future in the green and gold under coach Rassie Erasmus.
“It's an unbelievably competitive in the front row,” Du Toit said after being recalled to the national side in 2024.
“It is difficult to get into this position, and when you get there, you need to play well enough to keep it going.
“It is very challenging, but that's where every rugby player wants to be at and wants to strive for in a set-up where everyone is at their best and is striving to play in the team.”
Du Toit started in the Springboks’ previous outing against Los Pumas in Argentina and knows a massive challenge awaits the South Africans at scrum time in front of a hostile crowd.
The Springboks’ scrum is one of their biggest weapons, as they use to win penalties to get field position and to tick over the scoreboard. Du Toit will be at the forefront of that effort.
“It's kind of like the clash of the titans,” Du Toit said.
“These guys pride themselves on the scrum, as we also do, so it's going to be a proper battle.
“We're excited for it, and how we prepare for that is how we normally do and coach Daan Human has a nice system in place. He does make it tough during the week so that so that the weekend isn't as tough.”
Kick off is at 11pm on Saturday night, SA time.
@JohnGoliath82