Reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is recovering well following a rare injury that threatened to end his professional career.
DHL Stormers coach John Dobson provided the update while responding to news that Du Toit had withdrawn his notice of contract termination and committed his future to Western Province Rugby until August 2021.
Du Toit injured his thigh while playing for South Africa’s Stormers against the Blues in Super Rugby at Newlands on February 29.
The 27-year-old suffered a haematoma on his left thigh which soon developed into acute compartment syndrome which is an incredibly rare case, according to Stormers team doctor Jason Suter who spoke to journalists in March. According to Suter, only 43 cases have been recorded in medical literature.
Du Toit could have lost his leg had doctors not intervened promptly. Dobson, at the time, said that a rugby player losing his leg would have been devastating for the game.
“The rehabilitation on his injury is progressing well and we are looking forward to seeing him in a DHL Stormers jersey again when we get back on the field,” Dobson said.
Du Toit was expected to be out for three months but the suspension of the rugby season will have provided him with more time to recover from the injury.
Dobson said that the team’s efforts were now focused on conditioning and training in preparation for the resumption of competitive rugby.
