Ox and The Tank confirm their futures
NEWS:The Sharks have managed to retain the services of one of the biggest players.
The Sharks confirmed that star props Thomas Du Toit and Retshegofaditswe Nche have been locked in until 2023.
The 1.9m, 136Kg human wrecking ball known as Thomas du Toit has come a long way since leaving Paarl Boys High in 2013.
The captain of Paarl Boys in his final year, he was selected for the SA Schools side that played three times in the August of 2013 against England France and Wales. He played in both the England (as a sub) and France (entire game) matches but was an unused sub against Wales.
Western Province were really keen to sign him right from the start but his heart was always set on signing with the Sharks.
CONFIRMED: Ox Nche has been locked and loaded with The Cell C Sharks until 2023🦈#OurSharksForever #LockedAndReloaded pic.twitter.com/Pnr6tkVfTp
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) December 6, 2020
Rumour has it that when the WP scouts arrived to talk to him about a contract, he was sitting there waiting for them dressed in a Sharks jersey with a big grin on his face.
The giant No.3, affectionately known to his teammates as ‘Tank’ has since trotted out onto the field 110 times in that jersey and has become an integral part of the team, providing them with a menacing physical presence right from the age of 19 when he played his first Super Rugby match.
He’s scored 7 tries to date in his 36 Super Rugby appearances for the Sharks and having completed the transition from loosehead to tighthead now makes him a really valuable component of the front row being able to pack down on either side of the scrum.
Former Springbok prop Robbie Kempson who won back to back Currie Cup titles for the Sharks in ’95 and ’96 was full of praise for Du Toit’s move.
“He has done an incredible amount of work and he should take a lot of the accolades,” Kempson said.
“From where he started compared to where he is now, he is a different prop and he can hold his own on the tighthead without question.”
After having been side-lined with a calf injury in the local Super Rugby Unlocked competition the big prop is now back into the swing of things again anchoring the Sharks pack at tighthead for their 2020 Currie Cup campaign.
CONFIRMED: Thomas Du Toit has been locked and loaded with The Cell C Sharks until 2023🦈#OurSharksForever #LockedAndReloaded pic.twitter.com/CDamSOPGvC
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) December 6, 2020
A short stint with Munster had Thomas contemplate a possible move to Europe. He’s since drawn a lot of attention from European clubs and there have been lucrative offers but with his first child due to be born in two months and his ambition to become the best tighthead prop in country he’s decided to say no to the move and has signed a three year extension to his contract with the Sharks and he and his team-mate Ox Nche are now committed until 2023.
Long may he stay and we sincerely wish the big mans dream comes true.
