Du Toit proud of 'incredible growth' as he departs Bath

Departing Bath prop Thomas du Toit has praised head coach Johann Van Graan and his staff for inspiring "incredible growth" in him and his team mates.

The 31-year-old ended three seasons at The Rec on Saturday playing in their dramatic Prem play-off semi-final defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

The South African world-cup winning prop made a total of 74 appearances for Bath, scoring 150 points.

He returns to his former club The Sharks as the Springboks prepare to target a third successive World Cup title in Australia in 2027.

"I'm definitely going to miss it," he told BBC Radio Somerset, "but there's been unbelievable growth in every single player that's worn the Bath jersey. Growth both as people, and as a rugby players.

"The coaches have seen something different in me, and used me in certain places to do a certain thing.

"In the past, I think I was forced into a mould, to conform to a certain style of play. Here, the coaches have got the best out of me, and that's worked really well".

Du Toit joined the Premiership leaders from The Sharks in 2023 and was a pivotal member of Johann van Graan's treble-winning 2025-26 season.

They won the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup before securing their first Premiership title in 29 years with a 23-21 win over Leicester Tigers at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

"All three finals were fantastic, and it was a big career-defining season for most of the lads here.

"Just understanding that there's a team that wins, and that team can be us. There's a big difference between someone thinking they can win a trophy, and then actually physically doing it."

Du Toit has played for his national team 32 times, winning his first Test cap against Wales in 2018, and adding the 2025 Rugby Championship title to his 2019 World Cup winner's medal in Japan.

Reflecting on the reasons why he chose to come to Bath in the first place, Du Toit points to the arrival of fellow South African, Head coach Johann van Graan the prevous season in 2022-2023.

"The way he spoke about the club, and what he wanted to achieve made us really believe in what he wanted to do."

"The reality is we needed a change from The Sharks. We as a family wanted to try something different so we didnt' remain stagnant, and grow and learn and become close as a family.

"Bath ticked all those boxes, and I'm very grateful that we made that decision. Life outside of the rugby has been amazing. Johann has done such a good job getting the right people here."

The 31 year-old kept arguably his most memorable Bath performance for his penultimate game, scoring a hatrick in June's thrilling 24-22 Prem victory over Leicester Tigers.

He jokes that van Graan's coaching team have almost turned him into a natural try-scorer: "It was wierd. I was speaking to Bernard van der Linde (Bath scrum-half) before the game.

"I'd scored in three games in a row, but never a hatrick. Afterwards he was laughing when I had done it. Interesting, but wierd."

Du Toit's decision to leave was announced in October 2025, giving everyone time to come to terms with the news, and see him off in style last Saturday.

He says he's still sure he's doing the right thing: "I had a lot of conversations with alot of people around me, including Johann. I asked him to advise me as a friend and not a coach.

"Ultimately, selfishly I'm doing it for both myself and my family. I want that relationship for myself and my kids with grand parents, and I want to be closer ro my family and friends.

"There's going to be a lot that I'm going to miss, and I don't think there will be anything like it, but hopefully I'm going to take the feeling and the stuff I've learnt here [in Bath] back with me."