After school, du Toit enrolled for a degree in agricultural management at the University of Stellenbosch, where he joined the university's rugby club and played regularly for the Maties from 1976 to 1987. Du Toit made his provincial debut for Western Province in 1979. He also played for representative teams such as the South African Barbarians, the Proteas and the Junior Springboks. In 1980 he represented the Junior Springboks against the touring British Lions team.