EPCR Challenge Cup final: Du Toit plays super sub role

Thomas du Toit will play a pivotal role in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final on Friday night when Bath face Lyon in Cardiff. The Springbok prop, named among the replacements, headlines a strong South African presence in this season’s finale. He is one of four South Africans selected across both squads.

Thomas du Toit in EPCR Challenge Cup Final – Propping up Bath

Du Toit, who has played 94 matches for club and country this past four seasons, will play his 95th match in this time when he comes off the bench for Bath. This will be his 25th match of the 2024/25 season — including 22 for Bath and two Tests for the Springboks on the end-of-year tour.

His versatility as both a loosehead and tighthead prop makes him invaluable for Bath coach Johann van Graan, who has named three South African-born players in the match-day 23. Van Graan, a South African, is a former Springboks assistant coach.

Du Toit has already scored eight tries for Bath this season and one in two Springbok Tests. Across the past two seasons, his 20 tries are a remarkable return for a front-row forward. The EPCR Challenge Cup Final gives him a chance to further cement his status as one of the most consistent forwards in European rugby.

His club career spans stints at the Sharks, Munster, Stade Toulousain and now Bath, where he continues to evolve as one of South Africa’s most durable and impactful overseas-based players.

Former Springboks No 8 Arno Botha will start for Lyon, while former Stormer and Ireland lock Quinn Roux wears the No 4 jersey for Bath. Both have been named captain of their respective teams for the night.

Lyon’s coaching staff includes former Sharks skills coach AB Zondagh and former Boland lock Coenie Basson, who is the defence coach.

VAN GRAAN’S RISE FROM BULLS MAN CHILD TO BATH BOSS

In the 2023/24 season, Du Toit played 26 matches for Bath, of which he started 17, averaged 52 minutes a game and scored 12 tries. His 20 tries for Bath in the past two seasons is a remarkable statistic, given he is a prop.

Du Toit also started four Test matches for the Boks in 2024, to take his season match tally to 30.

Friday evening will be his 55th match in the past two seasons and he will add to that tally in the Premiership play-offs and Premiership Rugby Cup play-offs in June.

Du Toit’s on-field action on Friday will take his match tally to 95 matches in the last four seasons for Bath (two seasons), the Durban-based Sharks (two seasons) and the Springboks (four seasons).

In his first four seasons as a professional player he made 42 appearances and he has more than doubled that in his most recent four seasons.

One of Du Toit’s greatest attributes is his ability to play loose head and tight head prop, and he has played regularly on both sides for Bath and the Springboks.

Du Toit, a product of Paarl Boys High in the Western Cape, is 30 years-old and has played 23 Tests for the Springboks.

BATH CHASING THE TREBLE

Du Toit’s club career journey

• Sharks (2013 – 2016)
• Munster Rugby (2016 – 2016)
• Sharks (2016 – 2016)
• Munster Rugby (2017 – 2017)
• Sharks (2017 – 2019)
• Stade Toulousain (2019 – 2019)
• Sharks (2019 – 2019)
• Stade Toulousain (2020 – 2020)
• Sharks (2020 – 2023)
• Bath Rugby (2023 – 2025)