Springboks: Thomas du Toit makes forthright admission after hard-fought win against ‘very passionate’ Azzurri
Versatile Springboks front-rower Thomas du Toit.
Springboks front-rower Thomas du Toit admitted that world champions did not reach their usual high standards when they got the better of Italy in their mid-year Test in Pretoria on Saturday.
Although South Africa clinched a 42-24 victory at Loftus Versfeld, they were made to work hard to secure the result as the Azzurri launched a superb second-half fightback.
The home side made a superb start and raced into a 28-3 lead at half-time but Italy won the second half 21-14 and Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and stand-in skipper Jesse Kriel were left frustrated after the match.
Hoping to play in the second Test against Italy
Du Toit was not part of the Boks’ matchday squad in Pretoria and is hoping to be involved when the sides meet in Gqeberha this weekend but knows there is plenty of room for improvement from his side.
“Obviously, we could have been much better last week, and there were certain aspects of the game in which we had to look ourselves in the eye and say we were not good enough, but we know what we need to do this week against a very passionate Italian side, as we all saw last week,” he said.
Although Italy left several of their first-choice players at home for their tour to South A, they gave a good account of themselves and will be desperate to continue where they left off in the first Test.
“They are a young team with a lot of energy, and they are well coached,” said Du Toit.
“They don’t mess around in their own half, and from our perspective, we need to ensure that we don’t allow them to get into our 22 and make their presence felt there.
“As we’ve been saying all of last week, we respect them and their patriotism for their country, as that’s something that resonates with us.
‘There are definitely areas we need to improve on this week’
“There is a good alignment in their squad, and they are gelling well as a unit, so there are definitely areas we need to improve on this week, while we also have to build on the areas of our game which went fairly well.”
The 30-year-old was one of Bath’s star performers during their recent victorious Premiership and Challenge Cup campaigns.
A versatile forward, who is comfortable on either side of the scrum, Du Toit is looking forward to the second Test against Italy but is unfazed in which position he plays if was to be named in Erasmus’ matchday squad.
“I was fortunate to play both at loosehead and tighthead at Bath, so it doesn’t matter where I play. It’s all about where the coaches need me,” he said.
“The only difference between the positions is whether you play on the left or right-hand side of the scrum and where you stand in the lineouts.
“It doesn’t have an impact when one plays with ball in hand or the game in general.”
