Stormers lock Pieter-Steph's manic work ethic keeps him at the top

29 March 2017 - 15:17 By Craig Ray
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Pieter-Steph du Toit (L) during the DHL Stormers training session at HPC, Bellville on March 28, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Pieter-Steph du Toit (L) during the DHL Stormers training session at HPC, Bellville on March 28, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Image: Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images

Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ the current South African Rugby Player of the Year‚ has been in magnificent form in 2017‚ continuing his rampaging play of 2016 that was one of the few bright spots on a dismal year for local rugby.

Last year was the first time in his short career that Du Toit managed to come through an entire season without major injury and because of it‚ he delivered on his massive potential.

And he has continued to go forward in terms of his development in 2017.

His current form underlines that barring injury‚ he is set for another huge season.

Du Toit is one of the fittest Stormers’ players and hardest working according to insiders at the High Performance Centre (HPC) in Bellville.

  • Du Preez lets slip Stormers’ closely-guarded‚ bruising ‘Kiwi day’ to prepare for NZ teamsSome might call it madness and others genius‚ but Thursdays at Stormers’ training are no longer gentle strolls through match-day preparation‚ but rather a thunderously intense session designed to take players to the limit of their capabilities. 

That manic work ethic‚ coupled with his supreme natural talent‚ has led to rivalling New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock as the best No 5 lock in the world.

Du Toit accepts that his long injury-free run has been key to his progress‚ but also acknowledges that designated rest periods within the season have benefitted him‚ but not always the Stormers.

“I have my own high personal standards and always strive for my best every week‚” Du Toit said.

“If I achieve those standards‚ I’m happy with that. The only way you improve as a player is to play more matches.

"Being injury free for some time has been a blessing and that’s the main reason I’ve been able to play well.

"I also have built-up confidence playing alongside Eben [Etzebeth] and hopefully he has alongside me as well.

  • Injuries give Stormers' youngsters a chanceThe Stormers will go into this weekend's Super rugby clash against the Cheetahs without wing Seabelo Senatla, prop Wilco Louw and flank Rynhardt Elstadt after they suffered foot, sternum and ankle injuries respectively. 

"We have a good understanding‚ especially in the lineouts and I hope we can continue our partnership‚ not only with the Stormers but with the Springboks‚ for a long time as well.”

Du Toit missed last weekend’s 44-31 win over the Sunwolves in Singapore as part of an agreement with SA Rugby to rest contracted Boks once every six weeks during the season. 

It allowed him to recharge just before the Stormers take on a tough six-week schedule that sees them play home games against the Cheetahs‚ Chiefs and Lions followed by away matches against the Crusaders‚ Highlanders and Hurricanes.

“The break has done me good and when I got back to training on Monday I had new energy and felt really fresh‚” Du Toit said.

“There are one or two more breaks‚ which help to put back the enjoyment of rugby.

  • Stormers lose four more players to injury ahead of Cheetahs clashThe Stormers will go into this weekend’s Super Rugby clash against the Cheetahs without wing Seabelo Senatla‚ prop Wilco Louw and flank Rynhardt Elstadt after suffering foot‚ sternum and ankle injuries respectively. 

"You can get a bit tired of endless training and playing‚ so I find that the breaks are vital for me mentally.

“I understand that having key players rested at crucial times is not good for the team but your body can only play so much before breaking down.

"I guess it’s better to miss one game than to miss an entire season because of an [overuse] injury.

  • Stormers running away with conference despite patch formThe Stormers are running away with the Africa 1 Super Rugby conference even though their performances have been less than convincing this season. 

“The franchises know about the agreement with SA Rugby regarding the resting of Bok players‚ so plans can be made accordingly.

"It also gives other players in the squad a chance to have game time and push for selection.

“The next six weeks are going to be tough and we have come out of it with a few wins‚ which will set us up well for the latter part of the season.

“We have to measure ourselves against the best teams and we have that chance in the coming weeks.”

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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