Thomas du Toit credits the coaches at Bath for teaching him “the art of scoring tries”, as the Springbok prop continues to chalk up touchdowns for the Premiership front-runners.
The 29-year-old, who joined the Somerset club in 2023, has turned into an unlikely try-scoring machine under director of rugby Johann van Graan’s system.
His latest effort in a 42-26 win over Gloucester on Sunday took his tally to eight for the season, reinforcing his impact in the league-leaders’ pack.
The former Sharks, Munster and Toulouse powerhouse has scored 20 tries in just 42 appearances for Bath — two more than he managed in his entire club career before moving to England.
“I genuinely think the coaches at Bath have seen something that can benefit my game,” Du Toit was quoted by RugbyPass.
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“They’ve taught me the art of scoring tries closer to the line, pick-and-going, and putting that into my arsenal.”
Bath has turned pick-and-go play into a weapon, with Du Toit’s fellow props Francois van Wyk, Will Stuart and Beno Obano have also contributed to the try tally this term.
“I have never really been in a position where I expect to score tries,” he said. “I just want to do my job well, and if the opportunity presents itself, I take it. But it could just as easily be someone else.”
A World Cup winner in 2019, the 23-cap Du Toit’s ability to play both sides of the scrum made him a contender for the world champions’ 2023 squad, though he narrowly missed the final cut.
However, Du Toit’s standout club form earned him a recall last year, starting all six of his outings in the green and gold jumper and scoring his first Test try, against Scotland last November.
Photo: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
