Springbok powerhouse Thomas du Toit couldn't hide his glee over teammate Ox Nche's groundbreaking nod for the World Rugby Player of the Year, a first for any prop since the award's inception. Du Toit, who has shared many scrums with Nche, praised his pal's well-deserved spotlight.
“Ox is a special person. He’s an incredible rugby player and I’m very grateful that there’s some recognition going his way,” Du Toit expressed, visibly thrilled about the nomination. “I think everyone understands the type of player he is and how well he plays the game, but to get this type of recognition is special. I’m very grateful for him, very glad for him.”
"If I could have it my way, I’d obviously have him win it."
When prodded about his own prospects for future nominations, Du Toit laughed off the idea, emphasizing the rarity of such honors for front-rowers. “I’m not going to push my luck. This is the first prop … I don’t know when the next one will be!” he joked.
Aside from Nche's landmark achievement, Du Toit himself has been making waves in European rugby, anchoring Bath’s scrum. He described his stint in Europe as nothing short of transformative for his personal gameplay. “For my personal game, it’s definitely been a game-changer,” he noted. Playing under the grey skies and through the muck has not only adjusted his style but honed his edge for the international stage.
“It’s a very tough competition. It feels like you play a final every weekend, just because the teams are so good and everything is so closely knit together,” Du Toit shared about the relentless pace of the English Premiership. This, he believes, is giving South Africans plying their trade in Europe a significant advantage when they return to the Test arena.
As both players continue to dominate headlines and scrums alike, their journey from the rugged fields of South Africa to the global stage remains a testament to their grit and skill—a story surely to inspire the next generation of props.
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Springbok powerhouse Thomas du Toit couldn't hide his glee over teammate Ox Nche's groundbreaking nod for the World Rugby Player of the Year, a first for any prop since the award's inception. Du Toit, who has shared many scrums with Nche, praised his pal's well-deserved spotlight.
“Ox is a special person. He’s an incredible rugby player and I’m very grateful that there’s some recognition going his way,” Du Toit expressed, visibly thrilled about the nomination. “I think everyone understands the type of player he is and how well he plays the game, but to get this type of recognition is special. I’m very grateful for him, very glad for him.”
"If I could have it my way, I’d obviously have him win it."
When prodded about his own prospects for future nominations, Du Toit laughed off the idea, emphasizing the rarity of such honors for front-rowers. “I’m not going to push my luck. This is the first prop … I don’t know when the next one will be!” he joked.
Aside from Nche's landmark achievement, Du Toit himself has been making waves in European rugby, anchoring Bath’s scrum. He described his stint in Europe as nothing short of transformative for his personal gameplay. “For my personal game, it’s definitely been a game-changer,” he noted. Playing under the grey skies and through the muck has not only adjusted his style but honed his edge for the international stage.
“It’s a very tough competition. It feels like you play a final every weekend, just because the teams are so good and everything is so closely knit together,” Du Toit shared about the relentless pace of the English Premiership. This, he believes, is giving South Africans plying their trade in Europe a significant advantage when they return to the Test arena.
As both players continue to dominate headlines and scrums alike, their journey from the rugged fields of South Africa to the global stage remains a testament to their grit and skill—a story surely to inspire the next generation of props.