Springbok powerhouse Pieter-Steph du Toit is back in Japan with his club Toyota Verblitz following a spell on the sidelines due to shoulder surgery.
The 32-year-old underwent surgery in January, with Verblitz head coach Steve Hansen initially ruling him out for the entire Japan League One season.
Verblitz, currently third from bottom in League One, are fighting to avoid the relegation playoffs despite having drafted in Michael Hooper to bolster the back row in Du Toit’s absence.
RugbyJP.com shared a clip on social media of the World Rugby Player of the Year arriving in the Verblitz team room, before addressing his teammates after being welcomed back by Hansen.
However, the news outlet reports Du Toit is yet to be re-registered to play by Verblitz with two rounds left in League One.
The two-time World Cup winner has not played since November, and is in a race to regain full fitness before South Africa’s first match of the year, a friendly against the Barbarians on 28 June.
World Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is back in Japan!
He’s yet to be re-registered to play with two rounds left in League One. #rugbyjp pic.twitter.com/TMTon9wnJh
— 🇯🇵 RugbyJP.com (@rugbyjpcom) April 29, 2025
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
