AUDIO: Du Toit could be world's best tighthead
Du Toit, following a failed attempt a couple of years ago to move from No.1 to No.3, has worked vigorously at making the switch this year.
Despite a few iffy performances earlier this year, the 22-year-old put up a performance at the weekend – against the much-vaunted Stormers front row – that suggested he has made real progress.
Following the Sharks' hard-earned 24-17 win over the Stormers in Durban, coach Robert du Preez said there is a bright future ahead for Du Toit.
"I always said Thomas [du Toit] has an incredible talent and he just has to persevere," the coach told post-match media briefing.
"It is very easy to turn around, after one or two games that didn't go that well, to make changes or move him back to loosehead [prop].
"He showed that he can become the best tighthead in the world," Du Preez added.
The Sharks coach said he was very happy with a "great" performance.
"As bad as it was last week [in a loss to the Bulls], this was outstanding.
"We know there were a couple of tries left out there, but they [the Sharks] played very well."
He suggested the lethargic performance in the loss against the Bulls the previous was a result of 'working the boys too hard' after a tough four-match Australasian tour.
He added that there were still a few too many 50-50 offloads this past weekend.
"We need to be more patient with ball in hand," Du Preez said, adding: "We're a good team if we can put multiple phases together.
"We can't afford to go backwards now."
