Former HJS Paarl Boys High School and SA Schools loose-head prop Thomas du Toit just got his matric results a few weeks ago and now he’s one step away from engaging in scrums against most of the very best front-row players that the Southern Hemisphere rugby has to offer. Du Toit who will only turn 19 in May was the most impressive of all the Sharks’ new under-19 recruits for 2014 during testing in January. The talented ball-carrier stands 1.87m and weighs 130kg but these very sort after stats are only the start. Its the power and speed that the youngster possesses that clearly have those who now manage him including new Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White nodding in approval and willing to fast-track his career.
The 39-man Sharks Super Rugby Squad:
| # | Position | Name | H/School | P/School | P/Sch area | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Props | Lourens Adriaanse | Paarl Gim | Vredendal | Bol | |
| 2 | Props | Dale Chadwick | Westville | New Germany | Durban | KZN |
| 3 | Props | Jannie du Plessis | Grey College | Truida Kestell | Bethlehem | Gfn |
| 4 | Props | Thomas du Toit | HJS Paarl | Dirkie Uys | Moorreesburg | Bol |
| 5 | Props | Tendai Mtawarira | Peterhouse | Prospect | Zimbabwe | Zim |
| 6 | Hookers | Kyle Cooper | Glenwood | Bluewater Bay | Port Elizabeth | EP |
| 7 | Hookers | Bismarck du Plessis | Grey College | Truida Kestell | Bethlehem | Gfn |
| 8 | Hookers | Monde Hadebe | Westville | Lyndhurst | Durban | KZN |
| 9 | Locks | Anton Bresler | DHS | Werda | Durban | KZN |
| 10 | Locks | Pieter-Steph du Toit | Swartland | Riebeek Kasteel | Western Cape | Bol |
| 11 | Locks | Stephan Lewies | Eldoraigne | |||
| 12 | Locks | Peet Marais | Welkom Gim | Naudeville | Welkom | Gfn |
| 13 | Locks | Etienne Oosthuizen | Bergsig | Vastrap | Rustenburg | Leo |
| 14 | Loose Forwards | Willem Alberts | Monnas | Muldersdrift | Krugersdorp | Lio |
| 15 | Loose Forwards | Jacques Botes | Potch Gim | Anton van Wouw | Pretoria | Bul |
| 16 | Loose Forwards | Marcell Coetzee | Port Natal | Suid-Natal | Port Shepstone | KZN |
| 17 | Loose Forwards | Keegan Daniel | Dale | Gonubie | East London | Bor |
| 18 | Loose Forwards | Jean Deysel | Hentie Cilliers | Virginia | Free State | Gfn |
| 19 | Loose Forwards | Ryan Kankowski | St Andrews | Queens | Queenstown | Bor |
| 20 | Loose Forwards | Tera Mtembu | Dale | Dale | King Williams Town | Bor |
| 21 | Scrumhalves | Charl McLeod | Wonderboom | Wonderboom | Pretoria | Bul |
| 22 | Scrumhalves | Cobus Reinach | Grey College | Grey College | Bloemfontein | FS |
| 23 | Scrumhalves | Stefan Ungerer | Maritzburg College | Pelham | Pietermaritzburg | KZN |
| 24 | Flyhalves | Hansie Graaf | Wonderboom | Mayville | Pretoria | Bul |
| 25 | Flyhalves | Patrick Lambie | Michaelhouse | Clifton | Durban | KZN |
| 26 | Flyhalves | Tim Swiel | Bishops | WP Prep School | Cape Town | WP |
| 27 | Flyhalves | Fred Zeilinga | Glenwood | Monument | Ladysmith | KZN |
| 28 | Centres | Andre Esterhuizen | Klerksdorp | Goudkop | Klerksdorp | Leo |
| 29 | Centres | Paul Jordaan | Grey College | Gill | Somerset East | EP |
| 30 | Centres | S’bura Sithole | Queens | Queens | Queenstown | Bol |
| 31 | Centres | Francois Steyn | Grey College | Truida Kestell | Bethlehem | Gfn |
| 32 | Centres | Heimar Williams | Affies | Hennopskop | Centurion | Bul |
| 33 | Wings | Tonderai Chavhanga | Prince Edward | Blakiston Primary | Harare | Zim |
| 34 | Wings | Lwazi Mvovo | Maria Louw | Gledys King | Umtata | Bor |
| 35 | Wings | Odwa Ndungane | Hudson Park | St Patricks | Umtata | Bor |
| 36 | Wings | JP Pietersen | Gen Hertzog | Cloetesville | Stellenbosch | WP |
| 37 | Fullbacks | Tyler Fisher | Westville | Forest View | Durban | KZN |
| 38 | Fullbacks | SP Marais | Paarl BH | Durbanville | Cape Town | WP |
| 39 | Fullbacks | Jaco van Tonder | Outeniqua | Hermanus | Hermanus | Bol |
Baie geluk, Thomas. Ek weet jou Bellevue kamermaat is baie trots op jou. Sterkte … al het jy genoeg hiervan !
@Queenian: Yeslike that’s a big boy!
@Queenian: 5 or 6 are back, so it’ll be a relatively new team. I expect Uhuru Vanda to captain the side.
Sean Nkomo was in matric last year, he was a big and strong boy.
I expect the u16A group to be strong, they had so many injuries last year, hopefully the boys will be fully fit this year. The boys should do well
@Queenian: He’s huge, saw that on the website, hard to believe he’s in grade 8.
@Ludz: Do you know what Queens boys are back from last year for the 1st team.
Also the last game against Dale last year there was a boy I think his name Nkomo who played No 8 I had never seen him before what age was he and has he left school yet because he was big strong and good.
Also I think QC Under16A this year bar injuries like they had as Under 15 last year are going to give Selborne a run for there money.
@Ludz: Have you seen the QC website of late they show two boys in Grade 8 the smallest and biggest, that boy is a giant I hope he is a rugby player.
@Ludz: He is going well cricket still on the go, he,s second year in Under 13A rugby this year and they have a strong team so looking forward to it, also helps he has started to have quite a growth spurt so that should help.
@DC ARMY: It reminds me of a up and coming prop attending an elite rugby academy during 2005 in Pretoria. To put the whole scene in perspective this was the beginning of props being able to run, pass, tackle and then scrum at the Bulls. This boy was 1.78 and weighed 120+kg. After several attempts to side step and a lot of complains the prop simply went straight and floored the desperate coach, acting as a defender. When he walked back to his spot he apparently mumbled and I quote “Why must props sidestep if backline players can not tackle, this is bulshit” On asking what he mumbled he said to the coach, who played flyhalf in his hey days, “Coach if you tackle me I will side step you”. And that was the end of coaching this boy to sidestep. He is still around in Pretoria’s club scene and feared by all. But I only saw him run with the ball during this elite coaching clinic and never since.
@Queenian: Ludz is around, just more a reader during this early part of the year, how’s the young lad, getting ready for 13A rugby this year?
@Roger: He would do a Gcobani Bobo, G-Bobs has never once as far as i can re-call mentioned Rondebosch when he is on TV, he is always on and on about Dale and his scenario is a carbon copy of Ntubeni and let’s we just forget that Scarra played 8th man for Dale before jetting off to Jozi.
@Rugbyfan: That’s good to hear especially Winnaar, and at Dale if you are a forward prospect for any team and you weigh between 85 and 100 plus kg’s and can’t side step, you won’t be considered for selection, cause you will disrupt the game plan:lol:
@ Buffel(aka swinger)- I see loyalty is not deemed an important commodity at Kearsney
@Buffel:
Good one!
@star: Sorry,Barrett and Stevens not available, playing for England this weekend.
@Grasshopper: @BuffelsCM: Alright thanks.
At least he’s still playing. The hooker position in SA is full of competition right now.
@Playa: Toulon
@Playa: Playing in France something with all the other Saffa has-beens, except Kockett who we could do with now..
Excuse my ignorance, but where is Craig Burden?
We have talked about the success of the Dolphins and that fact that almost 80 % are home boys. Well the local participation for the Sharks is only 23%
made up as follows:
Westville 3
GW 2
DHS 1
MC 1
Port Natal 1
MHS 1
Total 9
I would prefer more for the gees element. Also when are Kearsney/Hilton going to come to the party?
@Queenian: Yep, haven’t changed it. Cool. I will give you a buzz when I am around.
@Playa: I will be at both is your phone number still the same maybe we can hook up in Grahamstown.
@Roger: He’ll say he’s a KES boy by education, and a Dalian at heart
@rugbyfan: We love our forwards small, tire these big fatties out by making them run all day
@Roger: Don’t ask Scarra he has been hypnotised by the Red force
@Queenian: I’m going to the Graeme Rugby Day. I cant make the Grey fest, though I would love to.
Ludz is around, he posted something on another thread the other day.
@Playa: Went past Dale the other day again and things look good I predict Dale will have a decent season the forwards a bit small but things look positive.
Were is Ludz have not seen him on site for ages.
@DC ARMY: definitely a KES former 1st XV hooker
but ask Scarra – I know what he would say
@Playa: You going to be in Grahamstown or maybe the Grey PE festival this year.
@QC86: Yeah, Griffy was down for the cape town 10s this past weekend and said so.I was also sure he was gone, so happy we could keep him. We can at least have a half decent season this year
@Playa: Hey Playa i saw Winnaar at the Dale fields the other day,so at least he is back,very good player,i thought he would be gone for sure.
@Tjoppa: Correction: He was 22 (made his debut for Free State at 21), and suffered injuries at 27 that kept him out of the game for 4 years
Hope they do not ruin this youngster
Well done to Thomas!..I would believe that he is the 3rd choice loosehead and as such would not get much gametime. He will probably play Vodacom Cup for the Sharks and get a looksee from the bench for Super rugby now and then. Jake was a SBR coach in his previous life, I doubt that he will over-expose the youngster.
@Roger: Might you be implying that Ntubeni is a KES product
As for Thomas he does look like the real deal and yes he’s progrees and eventual maturity will depend on how White manages him. But looking at his selections for Super Rugby there a few youngsters there, giving an indication that Du Toit will not be there to just make up the numbers. If you look at the likes of Terra Mthembu and Sburra Sithole who weren’t given much of a look in by the previous coaches are sudddenly candidates for regular first team action and should rightfully so, as an ex Dalian i can tell you now that Mthembu is a different class compared to Daniels.
@RBugger: Exactly! He would learn the subtle art of scrummaging in Europe. Ask Robbie Kempson what he learnt in Europe…in fact every prop in the world should play in France for a season and really learn how to scrum properly.
@Tjoppa: In the main, your statement is correct – the norm would not see a young prop being able to compete with an older, more hardened prop.
There are always exceptions to the rule – bear in mind, Thomas is in the Squad and will more than likely not play much, if at all.
Jake and his team have been assessing him for the past few weeks and I am positive they know what they are doing, they are not there to ruin someone’s career.
Ruan Kramer has also been training with the squad, he has not made the final cut as they believe he needs to get stronger as a tight head prop.
Thomas will do well – he is very much Os like – height, weight and his athletic ability is amazing.
@Grasshopper: Your comment makes no sense I am afraid – you saying the youngster should play High Level Club rugby in Europe? While S15 is a very fast paced game, make no mistake, the European scene is more brutal in the tight phases – a young prop would have a much harder time in Europe with regards to scrumming and tight phase play, as he would in S15, where you get a lot more mobile props
@Tjoppa: Os made his debut for the Boks in October 1994 as a 22 year old Tjoppa
@Tjoppa: Agreed, at school there is 5m limit to pushing the scrum and the ‘hit’ is far softer. I decent club prop would seriously hurt a schoolboy prop. He should be playing high level club for a year in Europe to learn the trade and then come back and play Super15…
@BuffelsCM: I attend scrum sessions where schoolboy BOKS, u/19 – u/21 scrum against top club level props. And believe me there is no comparison. The 23/24 year olds are technique wise in another class. And look at the results that the Bulls have with their current crop of props. Dismal to say the least.
If this guy is really the next Os Please remember Os only appeared as a 24 year old in senior rugby. And lasted 18 years.
The Snaaks have been known for the mismanagement of their players and it would seem that nothing has changed with Jake. Unless they are just gradually easing him into “big” rugby?
If he is not managed properly with cameo’s off the bench he will get mangled by hardy props like Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Whyatt Crockett etc. Size it not everything, look at Oliver Kebble about 135kg but was in turbo reverse in the Junior World Cup..
Fantastic achievment by Thomas – I hope he shines.
I am sure Jake will manage Thomas and make sure he is ready to play S15.
Kitshoff is a different player to Thomas – to start with, the level of competition at Loose-Head prop in the Cape is not exactly great. Thomas has been training with and against Boks in Jannie and Beast.
Kitshoff is no where near the same athlete as Thomas – Thomas is bigger, stronger and a lot more explosive, not to mention much, much quicker.
Fingers crossed, we may actually get another Os in the next couple of years
I dont argue with his ability as a player. One of the best props coming out of school I have seen in a while. My point was that the rule is stupid cause it will be bypassed whenever it needs to be, which makes the rule useless.
@CharlesZA: My view is that Thomas du Toit is an excellent prop. He might be 19 during May only but he is a powerful young man with good technique. IMO the rule is not a waste of time. Anybody that is in the position of trust, i.e doctor, coach etc that will agree because they were told to sign a consent form, can’t be called a professional (and I doubt it that they will make such a call). Therefore I don’t think the rule is “a waste of time”
@Tjoppa: The tight five used to peak at 27 – 30. With the advent of professional rugby that age has come down a lot.
Thomas du Toit is an EXCEPTION to the rule – that’s what I have said and I still maintain that view. It doesn’t mean all props should start playing Super rugby at 19 or 20
As I have said this is my opinion.
@BuffelsCM: Those rules means nothing, they will get each and everyone that needs to agree to agree that he can play. Waste of time putting that rule in place.
@BuffelsCM: The Tight Five only peak at 27 – 30. At 19 he IS too young.
Remember Steve Kitshoff – what is there to remember? Still not a Bok. And definitely not becoming one soon.
The rule of Boksmart ask for the permission of professionals who can only gain giving their consent. One guess what their report will state.
Under age rugby is there for a reason. Yes you get the EXCEPTION but that is exactly what it says and EXCEPTION.
@Buffel: It doesn’t mean Boksmart goes out the window: There are exceptions: (remember Steven Kitshoff). Read the Boksmart rules please
2. Elite Rugby
Because of the particular nature of the front row from other positions different criteria apply before an Under 19 player may play Elite Adult Rugby. (This specific requirement does not apply to players who may play in the front row in rugby sevens.)
2.1. Front Rows (excluding rugby sevens)
An Under 19 player should not play Elite Adult Rugby in the front row
unless the following are obtained:
a. written agreement from the player in writing to play Elite Adult Rugby
in the front row and acceptance of any associated risk of playing with
Adults who may be stronger and more physically developed than him;
b. written confirmation from a medical practitioner with an understanding
of the demands of Elite Rugby to whom the player is known that the
player is in a physical condition to play Elite Adult Rugby in the front
row and that this view is supported by a muscular-skeletal evaluation
and other appropriate assessments;
c. written agreement from a medical officer with an understanding of the
demands of Elite Rugby employed or retained by the player’s home union that the player is in a physical condition to play Elite Adult Rugby in the front row and that this view is supported by a muscular-skeletal valuation;
d. written confirmation from a coach with an appropriate understanding
of the physical attributes required of and the risks to players in the
front row in Elite Adult Rugby and to whom the player is known that
the player has the requisite skills and experience to play Elite Adult
Rugby in the front row; and
e. such other consents or confirmations (if any) as may be required by
the player’s home union or to comply with the local jurisdiction.
While I’m not advocating the use of young(er) players in the front row, one has to consider exceptions to the rules.
@Tjoppa: Tjoppa, he probably is too young to start playing at Super 15 level but Thomas can pick up a lot of experience from the older guys (as you have said).
As I have said above, remember Steven Kitshoff – he needed special permission to play as well. He seems to be doing just fine. There are only a few players that can make the step up at such a young age and IMO Thomas is one of those (Like I’ve said IMO)
Heh Beet – how about “19 year old hooker Malcolm Marx makes the Lions Super Rugby Squad”
We could soon be seeing Scarra Ntubeni and Malcolm Marx in a Bok squad together!
there go’s Boksmart out the window.
@Grasshopper: Maybe they don’t have Jacque’s workrate. He is a meneer, but I suspect it will be his last season.
Well done Thomas, learn from Jannie and co. Very disappointed not to see Franna Kleynheins in the group, he might as well look at another franchise. The Sharks keep on persisting with Jacques Botes who must be 35 plus and not give the youngsters a go. They already lost Cloete too. Franna, go to the Lions and join your old school mate Warren Whiteley…well done to GOB’s Fred and Kyle :-)
I trust this exercise is only to give him opportunity to learn. Please do not feed him to the wolves. He is too young.