With Bath facing Bordeaux Bègles in the Champions Cup semi-finals, Thomas du Toit reflects on the motivations and mindset fuelling his form. The piece offers a closer look at what drives one of the most imposing loosehead props in European club rugby right now — and how he's approaching the highest-stakes front-row battle of his club season.
What drives Thomas du Toit ahead of Bath's Champions Cup semi-final
Du Toit opens up on his motivations as Bath prepare for their Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux Bègles — worth a read for anyone tracking Bok front-rowers in European club rugby.
Dobson's early faith in Kolbe, the Stormers' smart recruitment model, and why SA rugby needs the Champions Cup
Rich traces Kolbe's near-exit from rugby to Dobson's 2012 intervention, explains why the Stormers' current recruitment strategy is structurally different from the Sharks' costly mistakes, and argues that French Champions Cup dominance makes SA franchise participation in that competition not optional but essential.
Dobson's 2012 gamble on Kolbe, and why the Stormers' homecoming recruits aren't a Sharks repeat
Rich reveals Kolbe nearly quit rugby in 2012 before Dobson's intervention, and uses the Stormers' latest homecoming signings to argue why their model is structurally different from — and smarter than — the Sharks' costly Galactico era.
Du Toit puts Springbok and Sharks thoughts on hold until Bath's Premiership campaign is done
Sharks-bound Thomas du Toit says all thoughts of his return to Durban and Springbok rugby are on hold while Bath chase the Premiership title.
Du Toit wants to earn his World Cup place — not inherit it
Du Toit opens up about feeling unworthy of his 2019 winner's medal and why 2027 is the World Cup he wants to earn outright — with Bath's Premiership run and his Sharks move both framed as steps toward that goal.
Du Toit's dream scrum: Marx, Etzebeth, and the Bath culture shift
Du Toit names Marx and Etzebeth as his ideal scrummaging hooker and lock, praises Ted Hill as a 'freak' flanker, and reveals how he imported Bok scrum standards straight back to Bath on day one.