1
Pieter-Steph du Toit on the now infamous RWC semi-final halftime spray
A soft-spoken farm boy at heart, when Pieter-Steph du Toit speaks up, people listen. That message was never more evident than in the change room footage that was released from the Rugby World Cup semi-final against England.
ADVERTISEMENT
Outplayed on a rainy night in Paris, the Chasing the Sun 2 cameras captured the mood within the Springboks change room as they trailed 12-6 at halftime, and didn’t know which way to turn.
The fascinating moment was included early on in a teaser for the brilliant series, with Du Toit’s intervention going on to be one of the most significant few minutes of the campaign.
“When I first saw the commercial and it had that speech, I was like ‘oh no’. Because in South Africa you want to be a role model for children as well, and you don’t want to swear on live television, you don’t want to do certain stuff. That’s not good,” the imposing loose forward told Jim Hamilton in their recent chat in Japan, now on RugbyPass TV.
“I told my mates, I just hope that they (Chasing the Sun 2 producers) give the whole context behind what really happened. And as you can see, they kind of did.
“What’s going on is something I haven’t experienced in a changeroom. We always go into a changeroom, we’ve got plans. This is working, this is not working. Let’s do this, let’s not do this.
“Rassie came in, said what he had to say, took the reserves into a room next door. I was just looking around and the coaches were standing behind a table on that side, and everyone was just sitting there. This is not what we are used to.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is not our system that’s going on. We’ve got to make plans, that’s what we normally do. We make a plan and discuss what’s going on.”
Du Toit stood up, commanded his troops to join him, then using a few expletives, challenged them by asking if they were actually scared. “You must decide for yourself. Are you going to f*cking stay or go? Play and get some excitement. And talk to each other. Everyone’s f*cking scared! If you’re afraid, say so. We’ll make a f*cking plan.”
That talk lifted the energy, and the Boks went on to edge out England to reach the final, where he too had a massive impact.
Pieter-Steph du Toit was taking names in the #RWCFinal 🥵
Here are some of the best of his 28 tackles#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/tywczIi2Mn
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 1, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
“It wasn’t planned, it was just something that came up, and [I] said stuff.
“Ja, I don’t really talk that much. I’m a strong believer in ‘actions speak louder than words’. The way you perform on the field or the way you live your life must tell your story – ‘okay, these are the morals of this guy’. And if you can do that, nothing has to be said.
“You can see everyone standing there, like even Jacques [Nienaber] was… I don’t think anyone… We were so shocked at what was going on. We were experiencing our game plan forced on us, and we couldn’t handle it.
“And you just look around and everyone is sitting down. No one is talking. There’s no energy and no vibe, and that’s what we’re about. We have to come together and create a vibe, create energy, and go on to the next job. That’s always our motto, ‘focus on the next job’.
“Rassie of course, the next day, we had a meeting. And he just showed it on the projector and he said, ‘This guy understands’. And I’m very grateful for that.
The full 40-minute chat with Jim Hamilton is now exclusively on RugbyPass TV. You can also binge watch Chasing the Sun now, with Chasing the Sun 2 available from August 1st.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ned me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
1 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
2 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
2 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to comments