Du Toit Admits Springboks Have Work to Do: A Candid Reflection After Italian Test

Du Toit Admits Springboks Have Work to Do: A Candid Reflection After Italian Test

In the aftermath of South Africa’s 42–24 victory over Italy in their opening summer Test at Loftus Versfeld, experienced prop Thomas du Toit offered a sobering assessment of the Springboks’ performance. While the scoreboard reflected a solid win for the reigning Rugby World Cup champions, Du Toit’s post-match comments revealed a team that is far from satisfied. His candid reflection painted a picture of a squad with high standards and a relentless drive for excellence—a hallmark of the Springboks under the leadership of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber.

A Win, But Not Convincing

From the outside, a 42–24 win would seem like business as usual for the Springboks. They ran in four tries in a dominant first-half display and showed flashes of their trademark physicality and precision. However, as the match progressed, cracks began to appear—particularly in the second half, when the Italians clawed their way back into the game with a series of well-constructed tries.

Thomas du Toit, who came off the bench as part of the so-called “Bomb Squad,” did not mince words. “We are far off from the standards we expect of ourselves,” he said. “We let ourselves down in a few key areas, and although the win is important, we know there is a lot of work to be done before the next Test.”

Areas of Concern

Du Toit’s comments echoed a growing concern among fans and analysts that the Springboks, while still elite, may be facing the inevitable challenges of squad transition, experimentation, and perhaps a bit of early-season rust. Among the key issues he identified were:

Discipline: The Springboks conceded too many penalties, some of which allowed Italy to gain territory and build momentum.

Set-Piece Consistency: While dominant in scrums early on, the Springboks faltered in lineouts and struggled with cohesion in some forward plays.

Second-Half Drop-Off: The energy and execution that defined the first half did not carry through. Italy outscored the Boks in the second half—a clear signal that intensity must be maintained for the full 80 minutes.

Du Toit also emphasized the importance of preparation and attention to detail. “There are no easy Tests at this level. Italy showed a lot of fight, and they capitalized on our mistakes. We need to tighten up and focus on every single phase of play.”

Positive Takeaways and a Learning Moment

Despite the criticism, Du Toit and the coaching staff acknowledged that there were positives to take from the match. Several young players made their Test debuts and performed admirably. Morné van den Berg, for instance, earned Man of the Match honors with two tries and provided a spark from the scrum-half position.

“We’re building toward a bigger picture,” Du Toit noted. “The team is evolving, and it’s important that we learn from games like this. Winning while learning is a good place to be, but we must stay humble and driven.”

Looking Ahead

The Springboks will now shift their focus to the second Test against Italy, scheduled to be played in Gqeberha this coming weekend. Coach Erasmus has already hinted at possible changes to the squad, particularly within the Bomb Squad, which failed to impose itself in its usual destructive manner.

Du Toit’s honesty and leadership in the media reflect a locker room culture built on accountability and high standards. The Springboks are not just chasing wins—they’re chasing greatness. And as Du Toit reminds us, that journey is never complete. There is always more to improve, more to refine, and more to prove.

As South African fans look forward to the next clash, they can take comfort in one thing: the Springboks, while victorious, are not resting on their laurels. They know the work is far from over.