During a press conference on Thursday, Rennie stated that improvements were expected in the scrum, hinting at a need for the Boks to adhere to scrummaging straight. He mentioned,
"We think if they’re forced to scrum square and not be able to step sideways and walk around us ..."
The controversy was ignited further when South African replacement loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp received a penalty for sidestepping during a critical scrum, contributing to the All Blacks' 33-16 victory.
Du Toit, during his interaction with the media, emphasized his team's commitment to fair play, saying,
"I can’t really make any comments on what Dave Rennie has spoken to World Rugby about, but we try and stay within the laws of the game as much as we can and as much as we perceive it,"He also noted that interpretations of scrum engagements can vary, complicating the objective assessment of legality.
As referees struggle to oversee every aspect of the game, Du Toit expressed appreciation for their efforts to maintain fairness in complex situations. He acknowledged, "The ref can only blow what he sees in front of him. So much credit has to go to the referees and the way that they see these things."
Looking ahead to the upcoming second Test at Cape Town Stadium, Du Toit has been named on the Bok bench, marking his return after being left out of the initial match. He is poised to face formidable opponents in All Blacks looseheads George Bower and Xavier Numia. "The scrum battle, like every other week, is going to be something interesting," Du Toit predicted, highlighting the intense preparation both teams have undergone.
Emphasizing the technical side, Du Toit shared, "The important thing is staying within the rules, trying to scrum forward on both sides of the pack, loosehead and tighthead side. The reality of it is you need to show the referee a good picture – a good picture in your bind and your setup, scrumming forward on both sides, staying within the rules and trying to show dominance."
This weekend's match also serves as a landmark occasion for Bok loosehead Ox Nché, who will earn his 50th Test cap. Du Toit expressed his excitement for his teammate’s milestone, coupled with Pieter-Steph du Toit’s 100th cap, hoping to make it a memorable celebration through a strong team performance.
