Super Pieter-Steph du Toit tackles Boks to World Cup title: ‘An honour’

Springbok loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit put in a blinding performance to help the Boks clinch a record fourth Rugby World Cup title after they edged the All Blacks 12-11 in the final at the Stade de France on Saturday night.

Du Toit, the 2019 World Player of the Year when the Boks won in Japan, showed that class is forever permanent with a superb effort, particularly on defence, in the grand finale.

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He made an incredible 28 tackles over the 80 minutes and was the only forward that went the distance in the match, although Deon Fourie was almost as impressive in his 77 minutes on the field after replacing the injured Bongi Mbonambi early.

Du Toit also played all 80 minutes of the quarter-final and semi-final.

But it wasn’t just on defence that Du Toit impressed in Paris on Saturday night as he smashed into countless rucks, made five carries for 36 metres, while he also won two lineouts.

It was an all-round blockbuster showing from a brilliant player and he was deservedly named man-of-the-match at the end of the day.

Honour and privilege

“It is an honour and privilege to play for this team. The last three games have been quite tough. We played each one as a final and each one was (won) by one point. So we are quite happy with the win,” said Du Toit after the game.

“I guess as a team we like drama. We have had drama for the last few years. It helped us a lot as a team to get through the drama and cope with it and it shows the resilience of the team and the whole of South Africa.

“For all of South Africa, we are honoured to be able to play for you guys and the Springboks. I know when we go back home it will be a warm welcome for us. I want to thank everyone for supporting us.”

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, who presided over his final Bok match before moving onto Irish giants Leinster where he will take up the head coaching job, was also thrilled with the performance of Du Toit.

“He was outstanding. Defensively, which is my department, he was absolutely outstanding. Well done to him on his man of the match,” said Nienaber.