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Bath statement: 'Behemoth prop' Thomas du Toit joining next season
Bath have bolstered their roster for 2023/24 with yet another Test-level signing, unveiling Springboks tighthead Thomas du Toit as their latest edition. Nearing the end of his first season in charge at The Rec, Johann van Graan has been busy overhauling a squad that next season will also include Scotland’s Finn Russell.
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A statement on du Toit, the prop red-carded at Twickenham last November, read: “Bath Rugby can confirm the signing of Rugby World Cup-winning international tighthead prop Thomas du Toit.
“The physically menacing front row, who featured in the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup title-winning campaign in Japan, will join the blue, black and white after the 2023 Rugby World Cup along with British and Irish Lions and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell.
“A devastating force in the scrum, du Toit provides another strong ball-carrying option for the club following on from the recruitment of Alfie Barbeary, Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence. He has featured 15 times for the Springboks to date and also has the ability to play loosehead prop, as shown during his time at The Sharks.
“Hailing from Paarl Boys’ High, du Toit was a roaring presence as a ball carrier and a scrummager in his teens, earning South Africa Schools caps in 2013. A year later he moved from Western Province to the Sharks in what proved to be a mammoth year as he represented his country at the U20 Junior World Championship, finishing as a runner-up, before earning his first Super Rugby caps.
“Since then, the behemoth prop has developed into a world-class operator, playing for the Springboks during their 2019 Rugby World Cup title-winning campaign, just a year after his international debut against Wales. He has also grown into a leader which has seen him captain The Sharks and South Africa A.
“Du Toit, who is a Sharks centurion and is also capped by the Barbarians, has experience of playing outside of South Africa, joining Munster for a brief stint in 2016.”
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Head of rugby van Graan said: “Thomas is a winner. He has experience winning at the highest level, having reached the pinnacle of world rugby with the Springboks. He is a world-class operator at scrum time.
“There are not many players in the world who can play on both sides of the scrum to an international standard, maintain control and have destructive power. He is another player we have added to our squad who also possesses fantastic carrying ability to get his side over the gain line.
“Thomas is a fantastic leader having been captain of The Sharks and South Africa A and we are delighted he has chosen Bath to continue his rugby journey.”
Du Toit added: “When I spoke to Johann and heard his vision for Bath, I was excited and knew it was the place I wanted to be. I want to challenge myself and develop my game in an environment that has the desire to progress and achieve.
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“Everyone talks about how iconic a place The Rec is to play at, and I have heard that supporters pack it out every time which is special. I can’t wait to meet everyone and contribute to the club’s future success.”
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments