Pieter-Steph du Toit fully recovered and raring to go

The Stormers have confirmed that Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit has returned to full fitness and is ready to return to action.

READ | SHARKS LURE FAMILIAR FACE BACK TO DURBAN

After more than a year out of the game, the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year looks set to be included in the Stormers matchday squad for Saturday’s Rainbow Cup clash against the Sharks at the Cape Town Stadium.

Kick-off is at 14:00.

Pieter-Steph du Toit had to endure a lengthy rehabilitation process after suffering a potentially career-ending injury in the Stormers’ Super Rugby match against the Blues at Newlands on 28 February of last year.

READ | SPRINGBOK BAD-BOY ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN HIT WITH HEAVY BAN FOR STRIKING OPPONENT

A haematoma in his leg developed into acute compartment syndrome, an extremely rare condition that frequently results in the loss of the affected limb.

Only quick thinking by Stormers team doctor Jason Suter helped avoid disaster, but after multiple surgeries and a long recovery, the haematoma in Pieter-Steph du Toit’s leg has dissipated and his quadricep muscle has fully healed.

READ | BRITISH & IRISH LIONS V SPRINGBOK MATCHES TO BE PLAYED IN JUST TWO CITIES!

“He is fit. He’s been training really well,” said Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani.

“He hasn’t played in a really long time, so he’d love to play and to get going.

“Obviously, he has come back from a really bad injury, but you know how he is.

“He has a big engine, he is a hard worker and he’s been really good around the players. Everyone is just happy to have him back and he’s just ready to go.”

Pieter-Steph du Toit’s return to full fitness will also come as great news to Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour later this year.

READ | BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: AGREEMENT REACHED OVER RELEASE OF PLAYERS