Pieter-Steph du Toit is in doubt for the Springboks’ end-of-year tour of Europe after being ruled out for up to four months due to injury.
Du Toit suffered a serious shoulder injury in the second Test of the series against British & Irish Lions, when he was tipped in a late tackle by Duhan van der Merwe, and lay prone on the ground for some time.
He has since missed three Tests (the third and final game against the Lions and the Boks’ two opening Rugby Championship matches against Argentina). It was recently confirmed that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the Championship, and he could well also sit out South Africa’s end-of-year tour.
Speaking to Afrikaans publication Rapport, Du Toit confirmed that while he is progressing well in terms of recovery, additional rehabilitation is needed.
“The doctor is satisfied with how the shoulder is holding up after the operation, but he says more work is needed than initially thought,” Du Toit said.
“It’s very uncomfortable at the moment, but it gets better everyday. It looks like I’ll be out of action for around four months, but I’ll be back.”
Given the timeframe, Du Toit’s availability for the Boks’ Tests against Wales, Scotland and England in November is in doubt and it would be a big blow for South Africa if he is to be ruled out.
In better news, Faf de Klerk has confirmed he expects to be fit and available for selection in two weeks’ time. His expected return to action comes at just the right time, since scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse suffered what appears to be a serious knee-injury against Argentina on Saturday.
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber said while he hopes the injury to the 21-year-old is not serious, he fears that Hendrikse could be “in trouble” and could miss the rest of the season as a result.
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