Why is Springbok prop making headlines in England?
03/24/2025 05:00 AM
SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok prop Thomas du Toit is making the headlines for all the right reasons in the Premiership.
Du Toit has a try-scoring record for Bath that would put most wingers to shame, with the Springbok prop dotting down for the eighth time this season.
The South African already surpassed a significant milestone when he scored for the seventh time this season in last weekend's 48-14 Premiership Rugby Cup Final win over Exeter Chiefs.
However, he added to his tally with a try on Sunday during the 42-26 win over Gloucester.
The versatile prop has scored 20 tries in just 42 appearances in blue, black, and white - an incredible return for a player in any position, let alone one where "meat pies" normally mean something to eat - and one more than he managed in the entirety of his club career elsewhere (18 in 181 appearances).
Even his solitary try for the Springboks in 21 Tests - against Scotland last November - came as a Bath player.
Only back-three players, Tom de Glanville and Ruaridh McConnochie, have also scored eight, equaling the 29-year-old's record.
The South African is not the only Bath prop to find his way over the try line. Francois van Wyk has contributed three, including a priceless match-winner against Harlequins in October. Beno Obano and Will Stuart have a couple apiece, and young Scott Kirk has one.
However, for Du Toit, try-scoring is only important when it helps the team perform well.
"I have never really been in a position where I expect to be scoring tries," du Toit said ahead of Sunday's clash.
"The way that I see the game is just so different from, I would say, most other people when it comes to scoring tries."
"I want to do my job very well. I want to play rugby well for my team, and if that means the opportunity presents itself to score a try, then that happens. But I feel that just as I can do it, the other guys can also get opportunities. It just seems like it is coming my way more often."
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