At Stade Rochelais, the atmosphere of physical preparation has taken a turn this season. And all this, thanks to Stephan Du Toit, the new South African manager. Recruited this summer from Stade Français, the man quickly made a name for himself on the pitch and in the corridors of Marcel Deflandre.
His trademark? Hard, calibrated training, but also adapted to each player. The physical trainer engaged in South West.
A change of direction for Stade Rochelais
Jonathan Danty, who has known Stephan since their time together in Paris, admits it bluntly: “ When ''Steph'' arrived, we knew it was going to be intense! “. He arrives one fine day, straight from South Africa, with denim shorts and a polo shirt, and carries out his direct Bronco test in civilian clothes. The tone is set: this season, we will have to surpass ourselves. “We worked hard for three years with Philippe Gardent, but Stephan brings a new vision, Anglo-Saxon style, where we combine hard work and intelligent recovery. With us, it is certain that we prefer quality to quantity.“.
Stephan Du Toit knew how to bring that little South African extra that changes everything: a preparation where you push to the maximum without risking getting burned. Du Toit is strong while still being measured : the man knows that a player must know why he gives so much, and what effects it will have on the field.
A “tailor-made” training plan
Having worked with the Stormers, where he already worked with Dillyn Leyds, he knows how to shape specific programs. “The challenge is to sell the program to players“, he confides. “And for it to work, you need connection, understanding. The guys have families, worries, some are far from home. The important thing is to do it intelligently.“
Its objective is simple, but ambitious: to allow players to give the best of themselves and to exploit their talents 100% – and even, why not, to help them aim for the selection. Du Toit even reinvented communication within the prep team. “Before, in South Africa, I was alone. Here, there are seven of us working, and I'm having a blast. That's everything I like: the rigor, but also the conviviality. We even end up with a beer after the big sessions, and that’s priceless !”
A “100% French terroir” integration
“I had trouble at first, especially formulating the sentences. But I got serious about it: 15 minutes a day for 1,000 days in a row can only help ” Suffice it to say that with coaches and players speaking to him in very local French, Du Toit was helped in his integration.
Today, Stade Rochelais is preparing to face the season with this mixture of rigor, collective work, and South African toughness. Given the first results, the Du Toit method seems to be working: the Rochelais are sharp and their 3rd tied with Bayonne.
When Du Toit was asked what he learned from his experience in France, he replied: “Here, it's intense, but always with this proximity. Rugby is collective, and each match, each victory, is the result of true teamwork. » The South African touch is in place, and the Rochelais have never been so ready.
