Springbok hero Pieter-Steph du Toit set to go under the knife

Du Toit has sustained an undisclosed injury, been deregistered from his club in Japan and will return to South Africa to undergo surgery, Verblitz have confirmed.

It's a hammer blow to Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster-coached club, who head into this weekend's round of action ranked 10th overall on the Japan Rugby League One table after winning just one of their opening matches.

Du Toit has played just three times for them this campaign, the first of which was his first club game in 587 days, with the former World Rugby Player of the Year sustaining setbacks while on duty with the Springboks.

He last featured for the side in the clash against the Kobe Kobelco Steelers on December 27, and Verblitz have now confirmed that he has been deregistered from the playing squad to facilitate his return to South Africa.

"It has been confirmed that Pieter-Steph du Toit will be taking a long-term leave from Toyota Verblitz," a vague and brief statement read.

"He will undergo surgery for an injury in South Africa, and as a result, his league registration will be cancelled. As a team, we hope for a speedy recovery.

"The exact date of joining the team will be announced once it is confirmed."

It's not uncommon for Japanese clubs not to reveal the nature of a player's injury and the length of their unavailability, with updates only shared if they are forced to withdraw from the team and be deregistered.

That was the case earlier this season with Faf de Klerk, who suffered a serious ankle injury while playing for the Yokohama Canon Eagles. Like Du Toit, he has been deregistered and returned to South Africa to go under the knife.

In fact, Du Toit is the third Springbok to sustain an injury this season in Japan, with Wild Knights lock Lood de Jager also in doubt for Rassie Erasmus.

The experienced second rower underwent hip surgery last week, with his recovery and rehabilitation likely to take between six and 12 months.