Springboks standout Thomas du Toit has cast an approving eye over England's burgeoning front-row talent, signaling a bright future for some of the nation's up-and-coming stars. Known for its scrummaging prowess, South Africa has been a formidable breeding ground for world-class props, a group that proudly includes Du Toit himself. Recently, he has noted a positive shift in the English ranks, highlighting several young prospects poised to make significant impacts.
The recent success of England's age-grade side, which clinched the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2024, can be attributed in part to its powerful set-piece, anchored by talents like Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Afolabi Fasogbon, and Vilikesa Sela. Opoku-Fordjour has already stepped up to the senior level, earning Test caps, while Sela, despite being called up for the Six Nations, awaits his debut. Fasogbon, on the other hand, has been turning heads with his robust performances for Gloucester, drawing specific praise from Du Toit.
"Afo is doing unbelievably well and purely based on a consistency basis, he’s playing week in, week out. He’s putting in some serious minutes,"
Du Toit expressed on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast. He didn't hold back on his admiration for Sela either, describing him as a model young player with an incredible work ethic and talent.
"I’m very biased, I think Billy Sela is amazing. He’s everything that I would love to see in a younger player; unbelievable work-rate, he’s got all the talent in the world and he’s such a nice guy. A great guy to be around and a team man."
While both Fasogbon and Sela have had a taste of the international scene, their full potential is yet to be unleashed at the Test level, a point of contention for some critics of England coach Steve Borthwick. Du Toit acknowledges the delicate balance required in nurturing young tightheads, who typically do not "shoot the lights out" early in their careers.
Current first-choice tightheads Will Stuart and Joe Heyes are holding their ground, with Stuart, a former teammate of Du Toit at Bath, tipped by the South African as England's premier prop for the foreseeable future. His quiet demeanor belies his effectiveness, a trait that Du Toit admires.
"He’s an incredible player. He’s a very quiet man on the pitch, you won’t hear him talk a lot – maybe because he’s tired – but he definitely delivers. He’s on the brink of being for the next four or five years the best tighthead in England, he’s got unbelievable ability."
The narrative of England's evolving front-row is one of promise and potential. With the guidance of experienced internationals like Du Toit and the inherent talent of players like Fasogbon and Sela, the future looks robust for England's scrummaging prowess, signaling a return to form that could reshape their fortunes in the scrums of international rugby.
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Springboks standout Thomas du Toit has cast an approving eye over England's burgeoning front-row talent, signaling a bright future for some of the nation's up-and-coming stars. Known for its scrummaging prowess, South Africa has been a formidable breeding ground for world-class props, a group that proudly includes Du Toit himself. Recently, he has noted a positive shift in the English ranks, highlighting several young prospects poised to make significant impacts.
The recent success of England's age-grade side, which clinched the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2024, can be attributed in part to its powerful set-piece, anchored by talents like Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Afolabi Fasogbon, and Vilikesa Sela. Opoku-Fordjour has already stepped up to the senior level, earning Test caps, while Sela, despite being called up for the Six Nations, awaits his debut. Fasogbon, on the other hand, has been turning heads with his robust performances for Gloucester, drawing specific praise from Du Toit.
"Afo is doing unbelievably well and purely based on a consistency basis, he’s playing week in, week out. He’s putting in some serious minutes,"
Du Toit expressed on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast. He didn't hold back on his admiration for Sela either, describing him as a model young player with an incredible work ethic and talent.
"I’m very biased, I think Billy Sela is amazing. He’s everything that I would love to see in a younger player; unbelievable work-rate, he’s got all the talent in the world and he’s such a nice guy. A great guy to be around and a team man."
While both Fasogbon and Sela have had a taste of the international scene, their full potential is yet to be unleashed at the Test level, a point of contention for some critics of England coach Steve Borthwick. Du Toit acknowledges the delicate balance required in nurturing young tightheads, who typically do not "shoot the lights out" early in their careers.
Current first-choice tightheads Will Stuart and Joe Heyes are holding their ground, with Stuart, a former teammate of Du Toit at Bath, tipped by the South African as England's premier prop for the foreseeable future. His quiet demeanor belies his effectiveness, a trait that Du Toit admires.
"He’s an incredible player. He’s a very quiet man on the pitch, you won’t hear him talk a lot – maybe because he’s tired – but he definitely delivers. He’s on the brink of being for the next four or five years the best tighthead in England, he’s got unbelievable ability."
The narrative of England's evolving front-row is one of promise and potential. With the guidance of experienced internationals like Du Toit and the inherent talent of players like Fasogbon and Sela, the future looks robust for England's scrummaging prowess, signaling a return to form that could reshape their fortunes in the scrums of international rugby.