Du Toit delighted to be living his Bok dream
Described by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus as a player with a “big engine”, lock/flank Pieter-Steph du Toit (right) has been one of the national team’s big success stories of the season.
Set to start in his 45th Test against Scotland at Murrayfield tonight, the 26-year-old had previously turned out 26 times at lock, 17 times at flank and once at No 8, and he said he was pleased to simply feature in the squad.
“As a kid I always dreamt of playing for the Boks, so it’s really a dream that comes true every time I run out for the Boks,” said Du Toit, who captained the side in their season-opener against Wales in Chicago earlier this year.
Du Toit, whose late grandfather Piet (also known as “Piet Spiere”) was a powerful prop for the Boks, was named SA Rugby Player of the Year in 2016, and after his consistently superb performances this year, he was seen as a hot favourite to add a second accolade behind his name.
“While I have my favourite position, which is blindside flank because I can get my hands on the ball a bit more, it doesn’t bother me at all which number I have. I am happy as long as I can play for the Boks,” Du Toit said.
Bok No 854, Du Toit made his Test debut on November 9, 2013 against Wales in Cardiff, at the tender age of 21. He previously played for the SA Schools team (2010) and Junior Springboks (2012) who won World Rugby’s junior title that year.
At one stage his career threatened to be derailed after he had to undergo constructive knee surgery in two successive seasons, but since joining Western Province from the Sharks two years ago he had been injury-free.
After a stellar season, despite six losses to add to the national team’s six wins, Du Toit felt the Boks could move only one way, and that was forward.
“We have shown a lot of improvement so far this year but there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.
“The players and coaching staff are working hard to improve us as a team and I am glad I’m able to contribute in some way to the team effort.”