Thomas du Toit, the powerhouse tighthead for the Springboks, recently wrapped up a stellar Rugby Championship campaign and has now dished on who he thinks are the standout monsters in the squad. Fresh off a league victory and his first appearance of the season for Bath, du Toit is in a revealing mood, shedding light on his teammates back home.
Speaking on the "Maul Or Nothing" podcast, du Toit did not hesitate when asked by Bristol prop Max Lahiff to single out the most phenomenal players under Rassie Erasmus' command. "Jan-Hendrick (Wessels) is very close to the top, he can do almost everything," du Toit praised, emphasizing Wessels' versatility and dynamism on the field. But he didn't stop there. "Then there's Andre Esterhuizen – he’s also actually a freak. He is monstrous, and what he did in the Premiership was also spectacular."
"Every time he touches the ball for the Springboks, something happens. Look at that carry when he scored that try against Beauden Barrett. He shrugged him off. It looked quite easy, but for a guy like him it probably was quite easy,"
du Toit remarked, recalling Esterhuizen's memorable performance. This insight comes as du Toit prepares to leave Bath and return to South Africa for a stint with the Sharks, aiming to contribute to the Springboks' quest for a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title in 2027.
The recent annihilation of the All Blacks in Wellington by a score of 43-10, with South Africa bouncing back from an earlier defeat, showcased the depth and strength of Erasmus' squad. Du Toit, watching some of the game from the sidelines, shared his reflections on that game's strategy and execution. "It felt like the game worked out very well for us. We tried to nullify everything they did in the first half, we really tried to work them as hard as we possibly can and when our bench came on, they did such a good job at getting across the line and actually scoring the tries."
With the World Cup on the horizon, the cohesion and momentum the Springboks are building could very well be their key to continued dominance on the international stage. As du Toit and his teammates gear up for the challenges ahead, the rugby world will undoubtedly be watching closely, especially to see more from the likes of Wessels and Esterhuizen, the so-called "freaks of nature" that could tip the scales in South Africa's favor.
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Thomas du Toit, the powerhouse tighthead for the Springboks, recently wrapped up a stellar Rugby Championship campaign and has now dished on who he thinks are the standout monsters in the squad. Fresh off a league victory and his first appearance of the season for Bath, du Toit is in a revealing mood, shedding light on his teammates back home.
Speaking on the "Maul Or Nothing" podcast, du Toit did not hesitate when asked by Bristol prop Max Lahiff to single out the most phenomenal players under Rassie Erasmus' command. "Jan-Hendrick (Wessels) is very close to the top, he can do almost everything," du Toit praised, emphasizing Wessels' versatility and dynamism on the field. But he didn't stop there. "Then there's Andre Esterhuizen – he’s also actually a freak. He is monstrous, and what he did in the Premiership was also spectacular."
"Every time he touches the ball for the Springboks, something happens. Look at that carry when he scored that try against Beauden Barrett. He shrugged him off. It looked quite easy, but for a guy like him it probably was quite easy,"
du Toit remarked, recalling Esterhuizen's memorable performance. This insight comes as du Toit prepares to leave Bath and return to South Africa for a stint with the Sharks, aiming to contribute to the Springboks' quest for a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title in 2027.
The recent annihilation of the All Blacks in Wellington by a score of 43-10, with South Africa bouncing back from an earlier defeat, showcased the depth and strength of Erasmus' squad. Du Toit, watching some of the game from the sidelines, shared his reflections on that game's strategy and execution. "It felt like the game worked out very well for us. We tried to nullify everything they did in the first half, we really tried to work them as hard as we possibly can and when our bench came on, they did such a good job at getting across the line and actually scoring the tries."
With the World Cup on the horizon, the cohesion and momentum the Springboks are building could very well be their key to continued dominance on the international stage. As du Toit and his teammates gear up for the challenges ahead, the rugby world will undoubtedly be watching closely, especially to see more from the likes of Wessels and Esterhuizen, the so-called "freaks of nature" that could tip the scales in South Africa's favor.