New Zealand’s inside centre Jordie Barrett (L) is tackled by South Africa’s flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit (C) during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
“PSDT is a f***ing machine”
Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, affectionately known as PSDT, produced an astonishing individual display which goes down in the annals of Rugby World Cup history.
New Zealand’s inside centre Jordie Barrett (L) is tackled by South Africa’s flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit (C) during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
Pieter-Steph du Toit produced an astonishing defensive display for the Springboks in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final. PSDT, what a player!
GOAT: Rassie is the greatest rugby coach in history
GOATED: What did we do to deserve Springboks icon Siyamthanda Kolisi?
PSDT COMES UP TRUMPS FOR THE SPRINGBOKS
Flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit completed 28 tackles against the All Blacks on Saturday. To put that absurd number into some type of context, the previous record for tackles made by one player in a Rugby World Cup final was 18 by Richie McCaw back in 2011. To eclipse that mark by 10 is a monumental effort. Collectively, the Springboks made 208 tackles in the final, the most ever in a knockout match at a Rugby World Cup. From Yokohama to Paris, this guy has been a pivotal piece of the puzzle. And to think, he has endured serious injuries to his ACL and other complications resulting from hamstring surgeries.
Springboks: Treat yourself to some Madiba Magic
ICYMI: Every RWC winner since 1987
DU TOIT DOES THE WORK OF THREE MEN
If you divide 208 by the 23 players who took the field by the final whistle, that’s an average of roughly nine tackles per player. PSDT, as he is affectionately known, trebled that average with a bit of change. It was a super-human effort from the 31-year-old who made it his mission to destabilise Jordie Barrett at every opportunity.
GOATED: What did we do to deserve Springboks icon Siyamthanda Kolisi?
WOW: Kaizer Chiefs need Rassie Erasmus!
Was that the best defensive performance from an individual player you’ve ever seen? It’ll take some beating.
Hit up James Freemantle for more insights, news, views and commentary.
Also, follow The South African on X for up-to-the-minute news updates.
