“Some Very Good Steak!” Pieter-Steph Reveals The Hilarious Secret Behind His Engine

Few players in world rugby have built a legacy quite like Pieter-Steph du Toit. A two-time World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and one of the most respected figures in the Springbok setup, du Toit has become synonymous with commitment, resilience and consistency.

His remarkable career has been recognised with rugby’s highest individual honour on two occasions. Du Toit first claimed the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year award in 2019 after playing a pivotal role in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup triumph in Japan.

Five years later, he cemented his place among the game’s all-time greats by winning the award again in 2024 following another outstanding campaign, during which the Springboks lifted the Rugby Championship and reaffirmed their status as one of world rugby’s dominant forces.

The achievement made du Toit the first South African to win the prestigious award twice and only the fourth player in history to receive the honour on multiple occasions, joining all-time greats Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Beauden Barrett.

If there was ever a performance that encapsulated what makes du Toit so special, it came in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand in Paris.

In one of the finest defensive displays ever produced in a World Cup final, du Toit delivered a tireless 80-minute performance, completing a record 28 tackles without missing one.

He relentlessly pressured the All Blacks, dominated the breakdown and helped South Africa grind out a dramatic 12-11 victory to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.

His efforts earned him the Mastercard Player of the Match award, with World Rugby describing it as a “colossal 28-tackle performance”.

It also strengthened his case for claiming a second World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year title the following season.

Despite the accolades and records, du Toit remains as humble as ever.

Asked this week how he maintains such incredible endurance and regularly plays the full 80 minutes, the stand-in Springbok captain responded with a smile.

“Some very good steak,” he laughed.

“I’m just very fortunate to be in a position to play for the Springboks. They have trusted me to play 80 minutes. I will always try and give my best for the Boks, but yeah, on the eating side, I love my meat.”

As he prepares to lead South Africa once again, this time against Wales in the Nations Championship at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday, du Toit also reflected on the next generation of Springboks coming through the system.

Having made his own Test debut against Wales in 2013, the experienced loose forward knows exactly what the newest members of the squad are experiencing.

“The young guys that joined us this year were quite a few of them, and all of them came in open-minded,” he said.

“They really adapted quite fast to the way we want to play, how things are done here, how the system works and what’s expected of them.

“If you look at the intensity they brought and the excitement, I think that’s probably the most important thing. It’s exciting for us to see how hungry they are and how excited they are to put the jersey on.

“For them to get the opportunity to play at Kings Park is an unbelievable honour and a privilege. I’m sure they will go out there and give everything they have.”

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said it was fitting to see du Toit leading the team once again, recalling that his first match as captain also came against Wales in Washington in 2018. It was Rassie Erasmus’ very first match in charge of the Springboks, meaning du Toit was literally the first captain of the modern Erasmus era.

“It’s actually crazy,” Stick said.

“I remember his first game as captain in Washington against Wales. You think back to his debut in 2013, and now here we are in 2026 with Pieter-Steph captaining the side again against Wales.

“He’s one of those guys who doesn’t have to say a lot because everybody knows exactly what he stands for.

“Pietie puts his body on the line for our country. We’ve seen him play through injuries; we’ve seen him come back from setbacks, and that’s something we all admire – not only as coaches or teammates, but as people.

“When you think about everything he’s been through and where he is today, it’s something really special.”