Thomas du Toit labels two Springboks ‘absolute freaks of nature’
Thomas du Toit, the tighthead, has identified two players in Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks squad that he would “definitely” characterize as “absolute freaks of nature.
“The front-rower, who returned to Bath for his first PREM Rugby appearance on Saturday in the 2025–26 season, replaced England international Will Stuart in the 53rd minute of Bath’s 38–17 thumping of Gloucester in what will be his final season at the club before heading back to South Africa to sign a four-year contract with the Sharks. With the Springboks aiming to win the Rugby World Cup for the third time in a row in 2027, Du Toit will be based in Durban.
“He is monstrous…”
Those plans are looking very encouraging for Erasmus and co. following their completion of back-to-back Rugby Championship titles with a campaign in which their four wins in six matches came with plenty of rotation to enhance the level of their squad depth ahead of the finals in Australia.
Du Toit was a highly interesting guest on the most recent episode of the Maul Or Nothing podcast because of the positive vibes around the Springboks. He voluntarily accepted one of the taunting questions from Bristol prop Max Lahiff, who asked him to list the players in Erasmus’ South African team that he thought were the biggest freaks.
According to Du Toit, “Jan-Hendrick (Wessels) is very to the top, he can basically do everything.” When he runs around, you can see how productive that person is; it’s quite amazing. However, I would most likely add a man like Andre Esterhuizen after that.
He has been described as a hybrid player that can play both forward and back. In fact, he is a weirdo. He is a monster, and his performance with the Harlequins in the Premiership was as amazing. “Something happens each time he touches the ball for the Springboks. When he scored his try against Beauden Barrett, take a look at that carry. He dismissed him. Although it appeared to be rather simple, it was most likely simple for a man like him. Between those two, I would say they are unquestionably natural freaks.
In the 79th minute of the Springboks’ Championship thumping of the All Blacks in Wellington, Du Toit mentioned the Esterhuizen try. After losing to their fiercest rivals 17–24 in Auckland during the tournament’s third round, South Africa responded the next week with a historic 43–10 thumping.
In the 79th minute of the Springboks’ Championship thumping of the All Blacks in Wellington, Du Toit mentioned the Esterhuizen try. After losing to their fiercest rivals 17–24 in Auckland during the tournament’s third round, South Africa responded the next week with a historic 43–10 thumping.
In the 79th minute of the Springboks’ Championship thumping of the All Blacks in Wellington, Du Toit mentioned the Esterhuizen try. After losing to their fiercest rivals 17–24 in Auckland during the tournament’s third round, South Africa responded the next week with a historic 43–10 thumping.
In the 79th minute of the Springboks’ Championship thumping of the All Blacks in Wellington, Du Toit mentioned the Esterhuizen try. After losing to their fiercest rivals 17–24 in Auckland during the tournament’s third round, South Africa responded the next week with a historic 43–10 thumping.
