Thomas du Toit delivered a match-winning performance off the bench to inspire Bath Rugby to a 31-22 victory over Saracens. Head coach Johann van Graan praised the South African tighthead prop for his exceptional impact during his 40-minute cameo, which helped turn the game in Bath’s favour.
Bath will now face Northampton in the Champions Cup quarter-finals after impressive second-half tries from England backs Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga, Ben Spencer, and Ollie Lawrence sealed their triumph at the Recreation Ground.
The pivotal moment came when Du Toit entered the game at halftime and immediately revitalised Bath’s scrum, which had been conceding penalties to Saracens. His presence steadied the set-piece, allowing Bath to win crucial penalties that laid the foundation for their victory. Du Toit’s commanding display earned him the man-of-the-match award despite limited playing time.
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“Thomas was fantastic in that second half,” Van Graan said. “In my view, in just under three years with Bath, he has become one of the best players in world rugby. He showed that again against Saracens. He was absolutely phenomenal in the scrum, in defence, and attack. That kind of quality is why you build a squad — you rely on every player to step up.”
Ben Spencer’s late 59th-minute try marked a major turning point. It followed a brilliant defensive effort when Saracens’ Andy Onyeama-Christie lost the ball near the Bath try line, igniting a length-of-the-field counterattack. Spencer described the try as “a big turning point” and credited the team’s relentless defensive hunger for the win.
In response, Saracens fought valiantly but ultimately could not match Bath’s class. Their director of rugby, Mark McCall, acknowledged missed opportunities and praised his side’s competitiveness. “We showed we can compete with a really top side,” he said. “There will be some big moments we regret, but today we were the good version of ourselves.”
Bath’s victory highlights the influence of Thomas du Toit and sets them on a confident path heading into Friday’s crucial quarter-final showdown.