Springboks France Stormers Pieter-Steph du Toit

Pieter-Steph du Toit is currently contracted to a club in Japan. Photo: SA Rugby website

Springboks star set for strategic Stormers return?

Pieter-Steph du Toit could consider a return to the Stormers in a move that would benefit him prior to the 2023 World Cup.

Springboks France Stormers Pieter-Steph du Toit

Pieter-Steph du Toit is currently contracted to a club in Japan. Photo: SA Rugby website

According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Du Toit could be lining up a return to the Stormers at the end of May 2023 after his current contract with Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz comes to an end.

Although Du Toit is also in talks to possibly extend his contract with Verblitz, a move to the Stormers could be seen as a beneficial way to ensure he maintains the best possible match fitness in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.

The Japanese season ends in May, and Du Toit could then possibly consider a short-term contract with the Stormers.

However, it is reported that a third party would need to help pay the 30-year-old’s salary, as it is understood that the South African teams have already spent a large portion of their budgets until 2024.

Du Toit left the Stormers last year after making 59 appearances for the Cape side from 2016 to 2021. 

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Stormers
Pieter-Steph du Toit in action for the Stormers back in 2021. Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images

The Stormers and their players feature among several 2022 SA Rugby Award nominees:

SA Rugby Player of the Year
Lukhanyo Am
Kurt-Lee Arendse
Eben Etzebeth
Siya Kolisi
Frans Malherbe

ALSO READ: Kolisi or Etzebeth? We pick our SA Player of the Year

Women’s Player of the Year
Lusanda Dumke
Aseza Hele
Zintle Mpupha
Aphiwe Ngwevu
Nadine Roos

SA Rugby Young Player of the Year
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Junior Springboks / South Africa ‘A’ / DHL Stormers)
Jaden Hendrikse (Springboks / Cell C Sharks)
Canan Moodie (Springboks / Vodacom Bulls)
Evan Roos (Springboks / DHL Stormers)
Henco van Wyk (South Africa ‘A’ / Emirates Lions)

Sevens Player of the Year
Selvyn Davids
Zain Davids
JC Pretorius

Junior Springbok Player of the Year
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Suleiman Hartzenberg
Ruan Venter

Team of the Year
Airlink Pumas
DHL Stormers
Springboks

ALSO READ: Etzebeth well on track to be most-capped Springbok of all-time!

Coach of the Year
John Dobson (DHL Stormers)
Jacques Nienaber (South Africa)
Jimmy Stonehouse (Airlink Pumas)

Carling Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year
Sebastiaan de Klerk (Airlink Pumas)
Willie Engelbrecht (Airlink Pumas)
Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas)

Carling Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year
Jaiden Baron (Boland Kavaliers)
Jaywinn Juries (Down Touch Griffons)
Duan Pretorius (Down Touch Griffons)

ALSO READ: SA Rugby Awards nominations unveiled