Springboks star Pieter-Steph du Toit 'canceled' by Toyota Verblitz after major injury setback

Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit will return to South Africa for surgery after sustaining an undisclosed injury in Japan that will sideline him for an extended period, his club, Toyota Verblitz, confirmed on Friday.

The Japanese giants also revealed in the online media statement that the contract of the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year has been cancelled as a result of his latest injury setback.

“It has been confirmed that Pieter-Steph du Toit will be taking a long-term leave from Toyota Verblitz,” the club statement read.

“He will undergo surgery for an injury in South Africa, and as a result, his league registration will be cancelled. As a team, we hope for a speedy recovery. The exact date of joining the team will be announced once it is confirmed."

The "cancellation of registration" in Japanese rugby is often a procedural move to free up a foreign player slot while a star undergoes long-term rehabilitation, but it effectively ends his participation for the immediate term.

The injury to the 33-year-old flanker is a huge blow to a struggling Toyota Verblitz, who are in 10th place on the Japan Rugby League One table after one win in their first five matches, as well as to the Springboks ahead of the 2026 international season. 

Du Toit is closing in on 100 caps for the Sprigboks in a decorated career that includes back-to-back World Cups, and his potential absence could be hugely felt during a groundbreaking season for Rassie Erasmus'  charges that includes Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.