Bath confirm Springbok Thomas du Toit’s exit

Both teams have confirmed that South Africa prop Thomas du Toit would be joining the Sharks at the end of the season from Bath.

Johann van Graan, the rugby director at Bath, was hesitant to comment on the possible transfer after RugbyPass revealed the specifics of the tighthead prop’s relocation last week. His exit when his contract expires at the end of the season has now been confirmed by both teams.

The move will see the 30-year-old return to the club that he started his career at.

After starting for South Africa as they won the Rugby Championship championship against Argentina at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, Du Toit came on for the last half hour of the team’s 38-17 victory over Gloucester last week, marking his first appearance of the Gallagher PREM season.

After joining Bath in 2023, the 30-cap Springbok quickly became one of the league’s best players. He played a key role in their treble-winning season the previous year, scoring a try in their victory against the Leicester Tigers in the Premiership final.

According to a statement on Bath Rugby’s website, Thomas du Toit will return to South Africa at the end of the current campaign to play for his old team, the Sharks, in Durban.

Du Toit has made the decision to go back home when the Springboks’ contract with the Blue, Black, and White expires in the summer of next year. Since joining Johann van Graan’s team in 2023, the enormous prop has developed into one of the Gallagher PREM’s most well-known players. He was instrumental in Bath’s historic 2025–2026 treble-winning campaign.

Du Toit will continue to be a key player in their season, which starts on Saturday when they travel to Welford Road to play the Leicester Tigers. He has scored 21 tries in 52 games while wearing the blue, black, and white uniform.