Vilikesa ‘Billy’ Sela, Bath Rugby’s young tighthead prop sensation, openly admires fellow teammate Thomas du Toit, declaring, “I want to be exactly like him. In my opinion, he’s the number one tighthead in the world.”
Sela, who is steadily making his mark with the Blue, Black and White, started in Bath’s commanding 48-15 victory over Harlequins before making way for the World Cup winner du Toit in the 53rd minute.
After the match at the Rec, the recently turned 21-year-old praised du Toit, who will return to South Africa’s Sharks this summer. Despite his departure, du Toit’s influence on Bath, the Gallagher Premiership, and Sela’s development is undeniable.
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“Even off the pitch, he’s such a role model—an honest guy and family man. Being able to train alongside him and learn is incredible,” Sela said.
He added that du Toit has taken him under his wing, regularly offering advice. “He even spoke to me after the match about areas to improve. I’m grateful he’s seen what I can work on and is happy with my progress.”
When asked to rate du Toit on a scale of 1 to 10, Sela laughed, “That’s tough. If he’s a 10, I’d say I’m about a seven. I still feel I have a way to go, but I’m making progress.”
Sela also revealed how du Toit’s off-field habits set a high standard. “He told me it’s all about lifestyle. He even tried to put me on the carnivore diet—red meat only, very South African!” Sela chuckled. “I tried it for a while, and my gym numbers started skyrocketing.”
Du Toit’s extensive knowledge and mentorship have been invaluable. “I’m just happy he’s around to share it with me.”
This match marked Sela’s fifth Premiership start of the season, a significant step up from last season’s three substitute appearances.
Reflecting on the team environment, Sela said, “I enjoy being part of the squad. The atmosphere here is special. After experiencing different teams, this is the first time I’ve felt something like this, and I’m happy to be here.”
Bath head coach Johann van Graan echoed the sentiment, praising Sela’s growth: “I met Billy nearly four years ago, and it’s great to see his progress. He represents many players in our squad. Today’s tight five included a younger generation with Scott Kirk, Billy Sela, and Ewan Richards—we believe this will be fantastic for Bath’s future.”
Sela is a player on the rise. This season’s two England A appearances suggest a full England debut is likely on the horizon for this promising talent.