World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has undergone shoulder surgery in South Africa and will be sidelined until at least May.
Japan-based journalist Rich Freeman shared the news on X after the back-to-back World Cup winner’s absence this season has prompted to club to delve into the free agent market and lure ex-player Michael Hooper back to the club.
Springboks ace du Toit, 32, last graced the field during his country’s match against England on 16 November which has led to mounting speculation about his current status and whereabouts with his employers Toyota typically tight-lipped about his unavailability.
South Africa’s only two-time World Rugby Player of The Year winner has missed all five of Toyota’s games during December and January – and last played for his club in May 2024 - which led to head coach Steve Hansen sending an SOS to former Wallabies captain Hooper.

Hooper’s last 15s game was for the Wallabies in 2023 before he was controversially axed for their ill-fated World Cup campaign in France. The Waratahs stalwart will re-join his former club until the end of the season as injury cover and will travel to Japan as soon as his visa comes through.
The Australian star, who retired from Test rugby in June 2024, said: “I’m very thankful to Toyota & Steve for the opportunity to come & play at a club I have such great memories of. I’m very excited to contribute to a great team & looking forward to arriving soon.”
Hooper said that he’s currently not ready to play and needs to get back into match condition and add some bulk to his frame.
Head coach Steve Hansen has not commented on du Toit but did provide an injury update on captain Kazuki Himeno who missed their home defeat to Saitama Wild Knights.
"He has injured his hamstring and is expected to take two months or more to return,” Hansen said post-match on Sunday.
“He still has swelling, so we will perform a scan this week and provide an update at that time."
League One clubs are only eligible to select three players capped by international countries for a matchday squad with Richie Gray, Aaron Smith and du Toit their current allocation.
Hooper, whose return was officially announced by the club on Monday, is yet to be registered.
Last season Yokohama’s Faf De Klerk’s registration was withdrawn by the club after he sustained a season-ending injury and the club opted to draft in centre and one-time Springbok Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Star-studded Toyota, who are jointly coached by ex-All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, have made an inauspicious to the new campaign with one win, one draw and three defeats and sit ninth in the table.
Hansen and Foster’s side return to action against Jesse Kriel’s Yokohama Canon Eagles on Saturday 1 February.
Stay tuned to RugbyJP for further updates on Pieter-Steph du Toit and the imminent arrival of Hooper.
Pictures courtesy of JRLO
Comentários