# Springbok stalwart Du Toit to leave Japanese club with immediate effect

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/springbok-stalwart-du-toit-to-leave-japanese-club-with-immediate-effect/
- Published: 2026-11-06T14:10:23+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T14:23:09+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/springbok-stalwart-du-toit-leave-japanese-club-immediate-effect-6531551
- Topics: Asia, World

## Key points

- Du Toit is leaving Toyota Verblitz immediately.
- He spent five seasons with the Japanese club.
- Family and travel between Japan and South Africa influenced his decision.

## Summary

Pieter-Steph du Toit will leave Toyota Verblitz with immediate effect after five seasons at the Japanese club. The two-time World Player of the Year requested an early end to his contract, saying he did not want to travel between Japan and South Africa while his family remained at home.

The 34-year-old was part of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup-winning teams in 2019 and 2023, and was named the world’s best player in 2019 and 2024. The club said both parties agreed to part ways after extensive discussions. His departure follows other Springboks’ moves from Japan: Manie Libbok and Malcolm Marx are due to leave after next June’s season, while Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith have already returned to South Africa.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.