Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll marveled at the “phenomenal” Pieter-Steph du Toit’s World Cup performance for the Springboks.
Du Toit made an incredible 28 tackles to help the Springboks defend their World Cup title against the All Blacks in Paris.
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While the Bok blindside missed out on a place in World Rugby’s official Team of the Year for 2023, he was hailed as the best in his position by O’Driscoll.
“He is always good,” the former Ireland centre said on the Off The Ball podcast.
“Do you know that he is playing with his dad’s Achilles? That, alone, is insane. I didn’t even know you could get an Achilles transplant from someone else. But we’re all wondering, is his dad hobbling to and from games? But, yeah, he is running around like it’s not a 60-year-old tendon in his ankle.
“His performance on top of that knowledge almost beggars belief. He was so good throughout the tournament, not just in the final. He is a really, really phenomenal rugby player.
“When Kolbe went into the bin [in the final], he went out onto the wing, and he made a massive hit on [Jordie] Barrett where they turned the ball over. Barrett didn’t see him coming and he came flying in from nowhere. The capacity to even read that, but also the speed and agility to get there and get the timing right.
“He is the best number six in the world.”
🗣️ ‘Do you know he’s playing with his dad’s achilles? That alone is insane!’
🗣️ ‘He’s the best number six in the world!’
Brian O’Driscoll has a few questions around World Rugby’s team of the year. | 🏉@VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/5sEclwx8S7
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) October 31, 2023
Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP