Bath Rugby has confirmed that South African star prop Thomas du Toit will leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season to rejoin his former team, the Hollywoodbet Sharks. The 30-year-old Springbok has been a key player for Bath since joining after South Africa’s 2023 World Cup victory and is widely recognized for his exceptional scrummaging skills on both tighthead and loosehead, as well as his try-scoring ability.
Du Toit has earned 30 caps for the Springboks and is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner. During his time at Bath, he made 52 appearances and scored 21 tries, solidifying his reputation as a world-class frontrower. His decision to return to South Africa reflects his preference to play for the Sharks, where he has already made over 100 appearances, despite receiving lucrative offers from French clubs.
This impending departure marks the first significant exit in what could be a series of high-profile changes at Bath, as the club aims to manage its squad within the Gallagher Premiership’s salary cap restrictions. However, Bath’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, will still have the advantage of international talent with British and Irish Lion Will Stuart and Welsh international Archie Griffin, who has earned eight caps by age 24. Additionally, England U20 standout Billy Sela is emerging as a promising future star, much to the excitement of Bath’s coaching staff.
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In further squad developments, van Graan has arranged loan moves for two young locks amid injury challenges, with Charlie Ewels, Quinn Roux, and Ted Hill sidelined. Twenty-one-year-old Harvey Cuckson will join the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship, while Will Jeanes heads to the Championship side Worcester Warriors, gaining valuable playing experience ahead of their return to Bath.