Thomas du Toit says “a punch to the face” forced SA teams to whip out the heavy artillery on European opponents in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The Sharks skipper was speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with Connacht as the Durbanites look to cement a playoff spot with two rounds to go in the competition.

Sean Everitt’s men moved into fourth on the URC log following a hard-fought win over Leinster, while the Stormers jumped to second after Friday’s victory over Glasgow Warriors, with the Vodacom Bulls and Lions in eighth and 12th, respectively.

The overseas teams have largely left the Republic battered and beaten, the South Africans’ physicality and attacking flair too much to handle.

But, late last year, the SA teams were languishing in the bottom half of the standings, and struggling in northern-hemisphere conditions.  

“I think most of the SA teams felt like they had been given a punch in the face when we started out in the URC,” Du Toit said. “We did not know what to expect, but now that we have sussed things out, it seems that most of the teams have turned the tide, and we did that by sticking to our guns.

“We have been doing what we as South Africans do well, and they [the overseas teams] have to deal with that!”

However, the 13-cap Springbok is not writing off the powerful Irish challenge: “Of the Irish teams, Munster, Ulster and Leinster probably have very similar tactics.

“Those three attack and defend with similar structures, whereas Connacht are a bit freer in the way they play.

“The other Irish teams have more structure than Connacht, but Connacht are one of the most physical sides in the competition.

“All the Irish sides are all very well prepared and coached.”