Final say: Du Toit commits to WP

Pieter-Steph du Toit has committed his future to Western Province Rugby by agreeing to a deal that will keep him with the franchise until the end of the British & Irish Lions tour next year.

The World Rugby Player of the Year withdrew his contract termination and has agreed to the same salary reduction as his teammates, as per the rugby industry’s financial impact plan.

As previously reported by SARugbymag.co.za, Du Toit’s intention was always to remain in South Africa.

READ: SA rugby’s first ‘transfer day’ dished up drama

‘We committed to finding an equitable solution for him and the entire team and we are pleased to be able to officially confirm it,’ said WP board member Andre van der Veen.

READ: Province shift focus to Lions’ Simelane

Coach John Dobson commented: ‘Pieter-Steph is an important team member, his extraordinary work rate coupled with his ball-carrying skills, makes our forward pack even more formidable. The rehabilitation on his injury is progressing well and we are looking forward to seeing him in a Stormers jersey again when we get back on the field.

‘Not only is this good for the Stormers and Western Province Rugby, but it is also good for South African rugby that we have kept such prominent players in the country, looking ahead at the post-pandemic rugby offering and market.

‘We are proud as a union of our achievement of contracting eight Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks in the province and keeping them in the country.’

ALSO READ: Childhood dream to face B&I Lions – Pollard

The prolonged Du Toit transfer saga has now finally been put to bed, with Dobson looking to focus on the plans for rugby’s resumption.

‘With this period of uncertainty now behind us, we have managed to navigate this period relatively unscathed. We hope rugby will be able to resume as soon as safely possible, so that the faithful and the rugby public can enjoy seeing this special group of athletes play rugby.

‘Our efforts are now focused on conditioning and training, to ensure that we are rugby ready,’ added Dobson.

LEWIS COLUMN: Not everything has to be black or white

Watch: How Ackermann was undermined at Gloucester