In an age where the lines between man and machine are increasingly blurred, Pieter-Steph du Toit is a tribute to human endeavour.
Perpetually on the move, he is like a heat-seeking missile desperate to leave his mark.
Du Toit, who was named the world’s best player in the wake of the Springboks’ success in Japan four years ago, has faced rugby and life's vicissitudes since.
He may play like a machine, but he is not indestructible. Injury has been a constant companion, but he has returned to the dizzying levels he frequented four years ago.
A week ago, the 31-year-old posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the caption, “Getting back to my best”. It may have been a sponsored post from a supplement supplier but it hit the mark, as Du Toit is again causing havoc like he did in 2019.
He didn’t just hound and harass the opposition, he terrorised them. The opposing ball carrier is again finding himself in Du Toit’s constant crosshairs.
The player wasn’t just a star performer in the Springboks’ 18-3 win over Scotland in their World Cup opener in Marseille last week, he has purred with intent leading into the tournament.
The energy and intensity with which he goes about his business this year is up a notch.
There is the widely held notion that players who are based in Japan take a while to get up to speed compared with those who ply their trade in Europe and South Africa. Their conditioning is compromised as they don’t play as frequently, and though they are required to play a high-paced game, their bodies aren’t put to the same interrogation as they are in other leagues.
On the evidence of the past few weeks, no one can accuse the Toyota Verblitz player of not being up to speed.
Du Toit has purred with familiar intent.
His previous visit to Stade Velodrome did not go according to plan as he was red-carded for a clear-out at the ruck against France in November. The sanction seemed extreme, to say the least.
On Sunday, Du Toit spread himself thin in the hot and humid stadium. He tormented Scotland's playmaker Finn Russell, who did not have time to cast his spell. “It’s something we focused on quite a lot,” said Du Toit. “When he goes into a tackle, he'll try an offload or keep the ball alive, so that is something we focused a lot on.”
Though the Boks got the job done eventually, they would have left Marseille with a few things on their “to-do” list on the training field.
The constant quest for improvement is a current that runs strong in them.
“There are always things we can improve, especially in the primary phase. There is always a new week where we can do proper analysis and seek improvement. We have to focus on the basics. It is a long tournament ahead and we just have to persevere.”
Du Toit says the Boks are relishing the challenges that present themselves at the World Cup. They are built for tournament play. Their playing style cuts to the chase. They possess squad depth, players are interchangeable, and they keep their nerve in tense, tight contests.
“From the matches we have seen on the opening weekend, you can see the pressure is different. The World Cup is a different competition. We enjoy it. You have to enjoy it, otherwise there is no point being here. We have a huge responsibility and are trying our best.”
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