Springbok prop Thomas du Toit says scrum dominance is built over a season and doesn\u2019t just happen within a single match.<\/p>\n
The tighthead prop has been central to a Bok scrum that has become the most feared weapon in world rugby, but he insists the foundations are simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a mentality; going into a scrum and wanting to dominate,\u201d Du Toit told the Daily Mail.<\/a> \u201cA lot of teams have gone away from the fundamentals. For the last few years, the Springboks have just stuck to the basics. We don\u2019t talk it right \u2013 we work it right.\u201d<\/p>\n Under the guidance of Rassie Erasmus, the Bok pack has leaned into physicality, cohesion and collective buy-in rather than technical over-complication.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a front-row thing or a tight-five thing,\u201d Du Toit explained. \u201cIt\u2019s a whole-team thing. There\u2019s a real desire to go forward and everyone buys into that.\u201d<\/p>\n WATCH: Rassie leads Christmas walk<\/a><\/p>\n Du Toit believes Erasmus\u2019 influence goes beyond the set-piece, tapping into the emotional responsibility of representing South Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cRassie is very good at understanding how important a game is,\u201d he said. \u201cIn South Africa you\u2019ve got over 60 million people watching you. You\u2019re fighting for every individual who looks up to you. You can\u2019t break, you can\u2019t be tired, and you can\u2019t not give your best.\u201d<\/p>\n ALSO: Bok prop can\u2019t wait to come home<\/a><\/p>\n With World Rugby continuing to debate law changes around scrums, and the Boks\u2019 win over Ireland in Dublin leading to a review of yellow-card sanctions for infringements at the set-piece, Du Toit is clear on where he stands.<\/p>\n MORE: No more cards for weak scrums?<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018When a scrum is dominant it should be rewarded,\u2019 he said. \u2018Everyone uses the phrase, \u201cputting lead into someone\u2019s legs\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI would say most scrums, when you\u2019ve got the dominance, you want the damn wall to break. You have to keep knocking at it.<\/p>\n