Thomas du Toit: Dominant scrums aren't built in a day - and should be rewarded

The tighthead has been a key figure in a Bok scrum that has earned a reputation as the most formidable in world rugby. Yet, according to Du Toit, the recipe for success remains straightforward.

"It's definitely a mentality; going into a scrum and wanting to dominate," Du Toit told the Daily Mail. "A lot of teams have gone away from the fundamentals. For the last few years, the Springboks have just stuck to the basics. We don't talk it right - we work it right."

Under Rassie Erasmus' and scrum coach Daan Human's leadership, the Springbok pack has emphasised cohesion, shared commitment, and physicality. It's a simple recipe, and if there are any technical secrets behind their dominance, the Boks aren't sharing.

"It's not a front-row thing or a tight-five thing," Du Toit explained. "It's a whole-team thing. There's a real desire to go forward and everyone buys into that."

Du Toit also credits Erasmus with instilling a sense of responsibility, linking performance to the pride of representing South Africa.

"Rassie is very good at understanding how important a game is," he said. "In South Africa, you've got over 60 million people watching you. You're fighting for every individual who looks up to you. You can't break, you can't be tired, and you can't not give your best."

World Rugby is debating changes to scrum laws after the Boks' chaotic win over Ireland in Dublin -- a match that saw multiple Irish props sent to the bin for repeated scrum infringements under intense pressure -- triggered calls from Six Nations unions to review yellow-card sanctions. Du Toit, however, is clear on his position.

"When a scrum is dominant it should be rewarded," he said. "Everyone uses the phrase, 'putting lead into someone's legs'. I would say most scrums, when you've got the dominance, you want the damn wall to break. You have to keep knocking at it. You have to earn the grace and the dominance and the 50-50 calls. That doesn't happen within a game, it doesn't happen over a couple of games, it happens over the course of a whole season. Showing the right pictures and trying to be as clean as possible."

"The yellow card thing is interesting," he added. "It's not for me to say whether it's right or wrong but when a team is dominant, it should be rewarded."