The Springboks won the match 42-24, but there was clear frustration from head coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Jesse Kriel following the match.
“I wouldn’t say that it was a wake-up call,” said Du Toit. “We set high standards for ourselves both in our preparation and on game day, and our objective is to get better week in and week out.
“Obviously, we could have been much better last week, and there were certain aspects of the game in which we had to look ourselves in the eye and say we were not good enough, but we know what we need to do this week against a very passionate Italian side, as we all saw last week.”
Du Toit added: “They are a young team with a lot of energy, and they are well coached. They don’t mess around in their own half, and from our perspective, we need to ensure that we don’t allow them to get into our 22 and make their presence felt there.
“As we’ve been saying all of last week, we respect them and their patriotism for their country, as that’s something that resonates with us. There is a good alignment in their squad, and they are gelling well as a unit, so there are definitely areas we need to improve on this week, while we also have to build on the areas of our game which went fairly well.”
Du Toit was unphased about whether he would play loosehead or tighthead prop if was to be named in Erasmus’ match day squad, which will be announced on Tuesday and said: “I was fortunate to play both at loosehead and tighthead at Bath, so it doesn’t matter where I play. It’s all about where the coaches need me.
“The only difference between the positions is whether you play on the left or right-hand side of the scrum and where you stand in the lineouts. It doesn’t have an impact when one plays with ball in hand or the game in general.”
Jaco Peyper.
Springbok laws and discipline advisor Jaco Peyer explained the frustration in the Bok camp on Saturday night, saying: “The coaches always sit down and look at whether we planned well enough and if our execution was good enough, and we did that today (on Monday). We are facing a passionate and well-coached Italian team, and we need to be up for the game and work hard this week to deliver on our standards.”
Zoning on what frustrated them the most, Peyper said: “We are a proud team, and that’s why we were frustrated. There were too many individual errors, and if those stack up, it mounts up through the game.”
Both Du Toit and Peyper spoke highly of veteran fullback Willie le Roux, who will become the eighth player in history to earn 100 Test caps if he is selected in the matchday squad and said he is a true team man.
“Willie is an unbelievable player, and if he gets to play his 100th Test, we will be very proud of him,” said Du Toit. “It speaks volumes about the player that he is, and it’s important to have him in the team. One thing’s for sure, if he does play, we will try to make it as special as we can for him.”
Peyer elaborated on Du Toit’s comments, saying: “I’ve worked with Willie since he was young, and he sees things on the field that other players don’t, so it is frustrating when one sees people criticise him. As a team, we are proud of him, and if he plays, we hope to make the occasion special for him.”
The match kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
