Bath look favourites to snap up Springbok

JOHANN van Graan has been in talks with 13-cap Springbok prop Thomas du Toit about adding the giant front rower to his squad next season according to the latest reports.

Du Toit, 27, is understood to be out of contract with United Rugby Championship side the Cell C Sharks at the end of the season and The Rugby Paper reports van Graan has been in talks over the last fortnight looking to convince the prop, nicknamed ‘The Tank’ to pick a move to Bath Rugby over French Top 14 side Lyon.

Du Toit, inset, can play both sides of the scrum, however, he is predominantly a tighthead, making him an appetising singing for any director of rugby looking to beef up their pack. Du Toit certainly casts a sizeable shadow, standing at 6ft 2in and weighing in at more than 21 stone.

Intriguingly du Toit will be in the West Country next week having been named captain of the South Africa A squad this week which will face Munster on Thursday and then Bristol Bears on November 17 in a sell-out friendly at Ashton Gate.

The visit to Bristol could offer van Graan a chance to show the prop around Farleigh House and get the deal done.

The South African influence at Bath continues to grow and last month former World Cup-winning lock Victor Matfield spent time at Farleigh House as a coaching consultant. It is understood Matfield and Bath head of rugby van Graan are friends from their time at the Bulls where the latter held positions as forwards and attack coach. Since retiring from playing in 2011, Matfield has held several coaching roles but it is thought at this time there is no plan for him to be a regular part of the Bath coaching set-up.