Pieter-Steph du Toit

The Stormers have confirmed that Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit has returned to full fitness and is ready to return to action.

Pieter-Steph du Toit off to Japan for short-term ‘sabbatical’

Pieter-Steph du Toit will make his final appearance in a Stormers jersey in their Rainbow Cup SA clash against the Lions at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Pieter-Steph du Toit

The Stormers have confirmed that Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit has returned to full fitness and is ready to return to action.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will make his final appearance in a Stormers jersey in their Rainbow Cup SA clash against the Lions at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 12 June.

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That is if he’s selected for the dead rubber with both sides out of the running to top the log and qualify to play in the ‘North v South’ final against Italian side Benetton on 19 June.

According to the Rugby365 website, Du Toit has signed a contract to join former All Black coach Steve Hansen at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.

However, instead of the two-year contract Du Toit was expected to sign, his stint with the Japanese side is only from November 2021 to May 2020.

What lies beyond that remains to be seen.

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Pieter-Steph du Toit’s “sabbatical” means he will be available for the Springboks’ Tests against Georgia, the British & Irish Lions series, the Rugby Championship and their end of year tour to the UK.

He will miss, however, the Currie Cup, whatever form of Super Rugby – if any – takes place in early 2022 as well as the PRO16 – if it gets off the ground.

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Other South Africans currently on Toyota Verblitz’s books are fullback Willie le Roux and utility forward Jason Jenkins.

Du Toit, 28, has 55 Springbok caps to his name and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019.

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