Two Springboks Stand Out as 'Absolute Freaks of Nature,' Says Thomas du Toit
Thomas du Toit, the formidable tighthead prop, has openly named two players from Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks squad whom he considers nothing short of "absolute freaks of nature." And this is the part most people miss: du Toit isn’t talking about raw talent alone—he’s referring to sheer physicality, versatility, and impact on the field.
After concluding his role in South Africa's triumphant Rugby Championship campaign with a starting appearance against Argentina in London on October 4, du Toit has returned to England. There, he played for Bath in his first Premiership Rugby match of the 2025/26 season on Saturday.
Du Toit entered as a 53rd-minute substitute for England international Will Stuart in Bath’s emphatic 38-17 victory over Gloucester. This match marks the beginning of his final season at Bath before heading back to South Africa to join the Sharks on a four-year deal—a move that positions him in Durban, perfectly aligned with the Springboks’ quest for a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title in 2027.
"He is monstrous…"
Erasmus’ squad is riding a wave of confidence following consecutive Rugby Championship wins. Their campaign was strategically rotated, allowing the team to build depth and experiment with different combinations, which should prove invaluable when the high-stakes World Cup finals arrive in Australia.
This optimism was evident when du Toit appeared on the latest episode of the Maul Or Nothing podcast. Hosted by Max Lahiff, the conversation took a teasing turn as Lahiff asked du Toit to reveal who he thinks are the most extraordinary players in the Springboks setup.
"Jan-Hendrick Wessels is right up there; he can do just about everything," du Toit said. "His work rate when running around is genuinely impressive. But then you also have someone like Andre Esterhuizen."
Du Toit went on to explain why Esterhuizen stands out: "He’s a hybrid player, capable of performing in the forwards as well as the backs. And yes, he’s actually a freak—monstrous. What he achieved with Harlequins in the Premiership was spectacular. Every time he touches the ball for the Springboks, something exciting happens. Take that try against Beauden Barrett—he shrugged him off like it was nothing. For a player like him, it probably was easy, but it’s still incredible. Between those two, I’d say they’re absolutely freaks of nature."
The try du Toit referenced came in the 79th minute of the Springboks’ record-setting Rugby Championship triumph over the All Blacks in Wellington. After suffering a 17-24 defeat in Auckland in Round Three, South Africa returned with a vengeance, dominating their rivals 43-10 the following week. This remarkable turnaround, particularly in the final 20 minutes, was something du Toit witnessed from the sidelines after laying the groundwork for South Africa’s backs to capitalize on an energetic forward display.
"Sitting on the sidelines and seeing everything unfold was surreal," du Toit reflected. "Normally, when you get momentum like that, the game might tighten up again, but this time it didn’t. Our forwards laid the foundation, and the backs truly opened up toward the end."
He added, "It was so satisfying to see everything click. We talk about teams 'gelling,' but that day it genuinely felt like all the pieces came together perfectly. Every coach and player wants that every week, but reality doesn’t always deliver. That day, though, it was a full shift. The first half was all about groundwork; the second half, our bench and backs let loose. The one wouldn’t have worked without the other—it all gelled."
Thought-Provoking Question: Do you think players like Wessels and Esterhuizen redefine what it means to be a 'freak of nature' in modern rugby, or is it just hype? Share your thoughts below—some might strongly agree, while others could see it differently.
