The former World Player of the Year is with the Boks in camp as they prepare to kick-off their season.

Du Toit has been playing for the Japanese Top League club, Toyota Verblitz, where he has sustained another shoulder injury.

It’s the same injury that saw the hard-working and versatile forward miss out on the bulk of last year’s British & Irish Lions series against the Springboks in South Africa.

The Springboks do have the luxury of having players such as Jasper Wiese, Elrigh Louw and Evan Roos at their disposal for the series against Wales, but it does make Duane Vermeulen’s injury that more significant.

The Springboks forward coach, Deon Davids, said that Du Toit is currently undergoing his rehabilitation and could start training with the squad on Thursday, and this also rules him out for the first Test.

“Everyone is available expect Pieter-Steph du Toit. He is still undergoing his rehabilitation for the first Test.

“Other than we look at all of the players available.

“He is busy with his rehab after his shoulder operation and think that he will be cleared in terms of that on Thursday.

“He will then be considered for the second Test in Bloemfontein.”

Saturday’s 1st Test at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 17:05.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport