Pieter-Steph du Toit has become the latest South African to part ways with his Japanese club after the Springbok star confirmed he will be returning home to continue his career.
The 34-year-old was granted an early release by Toyota Verblitz after he and the club agreed to a mutual split.
The club confirmed the arrangement in a statement, explaining that the two parties held extensive talks while Du Toit was still under contract.
He joined Verblitz from the Stormers in 2021 and spent five seasons with the Japanese League One outfit.
“Toyota Verblitz and the people of Japan have been incredibly kind and welcoming to our family,” the two-time World Player of the Year said on Friday.
“I would like to sincerely thank the club’s management for enabling our family to stay together during our time in Japan.
“I shared with the management that I did not want to be separated from my family and travel back and forth between Japan and South Africa during the upcoming season.
“They were understanding of my situation and kindly agreed to an early release from my contract.”
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Du Toit joins flyhalf Manie Libbok, hooker Malcolm Marx and loose forward Kwagga Smith in heading back to the Republic from the Far East.
Libbok has signed with the Sharks while Marx and Smith will link up with the Bulls next season.
Du Toit captained the world champions to a clean sweep of their July Tests and played a central part in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The double World Cup winner is set to start at blindside flanker in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against Italy in Turin.
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ピーターステフ・デュトイ選手 退団のお知らせ
この度、ピーターステフ・デュトイ選手が退団することとなりましたので、お知らせいたします。
デュトイ選手ならびにゼネラルマネージャー・後藤彰友のコメントは、チーム公式HPをご覧ください。
https://t.co/BQ37BUU1ZU https://t.co/uhF5uWhFQW
— トヨタヴェルブリッツ TOYOTA VERBLITZ (@toyotaverblitz) November 6, 2026
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post PSDT joins Japan exodus appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Pieter-Steph du Toit has become the latest South African to part ways with his Japanese club after the Springbok star confirmed he will be returning home to continue his career.
The post PSDT joins Japan exodus appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
