How Thomas du Toit made history as Bath secure Gallagher PREM home play-off match against Exeter Chiefs - 'I would prefer not speaking about it'

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South African prop Thomas du Toit made history to help Bath Rugby secure a home play-off spot as the Gallagher PREM regular season came to a thrilling end on Saturday.

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Du Toit scored three tries in Bath's 24-22 victory over the Leicester Tigers at the Rec, becoming the first prop in history to score a PREM hat-trick.

The victory meant that Bath finished second in the table and will host Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, June 13 in the semi-finals, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Speaking to TNT Sports pundit David Flatman after the victory, Du Toit was typically low-key about his scoring performance.

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"I would prefer not speaking about it," the 31-year-old said with a smile when asked about his hat-trick.

"It's brilliant. We were joking before and saying that the closest I've come to scoring a hat-trick is scoring in three games in a row. And it's so funny to see how the hat-trick came about today.

"Very grateful to the guys. Obviously, it is a team thing because everyone gets you in the position close to the try line and I just have to do that extra little 10 centimetres."

Leicester had taken an early lead but two quick-fire tries from Du Toit - nicknamed 'Thomas the Tank' - from close range put the home side on top inside the opening 14 minutes.

And he completed his hat-trick shortly after half-time, once again touching down to secure Bath the bonus point.

The South African's final try proved key in the two-point victory for Bath in continuing their season as they seek to retain their PREM title.

The victory sets up a thrilling play-off encounter with Exeter and Du Toit said it should make for a "brilliant" game.

"I've just got the news of that, it's going to be brilliant," he said. "We're just so grateful to play at home. That doesn't make it any easier.

"Exeter showed us what type of team they are a couple of weeks back [when they won 35-12 against Bath] and we're up for a real challenge."

'Cheat code'

With the game against the Chiefs on the horizon, TNT Sports pundit Sam Warburton expressed how important Du Toit's influence could be.

"He's the difference. He'll take an X-factor moment. From five meters out from that try line, he's a cheat code for Bath, it's brilliant," the former Wales captain said.

"He's the sort of player Bath will 100% need over these next two weekends if they're going to lift that title again."

Exeter booked their spot in the play-offs with a 32-12 victory over Saracens on Saturday, moving them up to third in the table and eliminating Saracens from contention.

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Tries from Max Norey, Henry Slade, Andrea Zambonin and Stephen Varney secured victory, as Mark McCall’s 17-year reign at Saracens ended in disappointment.

And having ended the season with three wins in four matches, TNT Sports pundit Brian O'Driscoll said Exeter will be full of confidence when travelling to Somerset.

"They won't fear going to The Rec. They've got a head of steam, they've got momentum with them and belief that they're peaking at the right time," O'Driscoll said.

"It's going to make for a great performance. They're going to have to stop 'Thomas the Tank' though."

In the other play-off, Leicester Tigers will travel to face Northampton Saints on Friday.

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