Why is Springbok prop making headlines in England?

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 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).

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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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