Springboks star Du Toit to miss opening game against Wales

The Springboks will be without one of their big names when they come up against Wales in Pretoria on Saturday. Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids revealed that star loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit is unavailable as he still recovering from shoulder surgery.

The 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year, who linked up with the Bok squad after his commitments with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, can only start contact training later this week, which will not give him enough time to be ready for that first of three Tests against the Welsh.

The 29-year-old also missed most of last year’s international season due to a shoulder injury he suffered during the British and Irish Lions series.

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He is expected to be available for selection for the second and third Tests against Wales.

“Everyone is available despite Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is still in rehab,” said Davids.

“We will look at all the players available and see what is going to be the best combination for us going into this first Test match.”

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has no shortage of quality players to call on.

Franco Mostert, who is normally a lock, has filled in for Du Toit countless times and there is also Albertus ‘Kwagga’ Smith.

Another option is Rynhardt Elstadt.

The Bok coaching staff can also opt to experiment with the likes of Evan Roos, Marcell Coetzee, Deon Fourie and Elrigh Louw.

However, that will be unlikely as Nienaber has made it clear he will stick to the ‘tried and tested”.