Although Pieter-Steph du Toit is expected to miss the bulk of the Japan Rugby League One season, his shoulder injury should not rule him out of any Springboks Test this year.
Last week, Toyota Verblitz director of rugby Sir Steve Hansen revealed that his star flanker is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines after having surgery on his injury.
“Big Piet’s not here at the moment, he hurt his shoulder in the November series so he just went under the knife last Friday. He could be out for the whole season, so it’s a bit disappointing,” Hansen said on Sport Nation’s Beaver & Guy show.
‘Grateful after successful surgery’
Du Toit told Sunday newspaper Rapport that he is grateful that everything went very well after a complex procedure.
With the 32-year-old two-time World Rugby Player of Year award winner set for an extended period on the sidelines, Hansen has brought in former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper as his replacement for Toyota Verblitz during the rest of their campaign in Japan.
Du Toit would not say when exactly he will return to action, as it depends on how he responds to the rehabilitation process which is expected to be between four and six months.
“It would obviously be incredible to get well as quickly as possible and to get on the field,” he said.
However, a source told Rapport the double Rugby World Cup winner will be back on the field before the end of May. That will give the 86-Test Springbok enough time to be available for the world champions’ first Test against Italy on July 5.
The South African Rugby Union are yet to confirm at which venue that Test will be played.
While Du Toit’s absence is a huge setback for Toyota Verblitz, Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus won’t mind that the back-row star is getting proper rest after initially being concerned by Hansen’s revelation of the injury.
Du Toit’s enforced break should be a boost for the Boks during their 2025 international campaign.
Hoping Du Toit is fit for crucial Tests
They will be hoping he is fit for their highly anticipated back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests against their arch rivals the All Blacks in New Zealand in September as well as away internationals against France and Ireland on their end-of-year tour to Europe.
Hansen, who coaches Toyota Verblitz alongside fellow former All Blacks boss Ian Foster, was full of praise for Du Toit recently.
“He is a wonderful, wonderful person, Pieter-Steph du Toit,” Hansen told Sport Nation’s Beaver & Guy show.
“He’s a gentle giant off the field and so competitive on the field. I have a lot of time for him. A good man.”
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