Verblitz 'unveil' their World Cup-winning Bok

WATCH as one of South Africa's most prized assets makes his first appearance on the training field in four months.

Springbok forward Pieter-Steph du Toit was 'unveiled' by Japanese club Verblitz on Monday, when he took part in his first training session with the Japanese club.

It was his first onfield appearance since undergoing surgery.

The 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year, Du Toit, went under the knife in August, after he suffered a shoulder injury in the second Test of the two-one series win over the British and Irish Lions and did not feature in the decisive third international.

He also missed the Rugby Championship campaign, as well as their year-end tour to the United Kingdom.

Du Toit returned to action earlier in the year, after being sidelined since early 2020 with a serious injury that almost saw him lose his leg.

Du Toit signed for the Japan club, Verblitz, from the Stormers in September.

"I'm very excited to be here with the guys," Du Toit said in a video message on the Verblitz social media channels.

"I enjoyed a full training session and I can’t wait for the season ahead.

"I'm very excited," the 29-year-old utility forward said.

Du Toit joins Springbok teammate Willie le Roux at Verblitz.

Other South Africans at the Japanese club include flyhalf Lionel Cronje and lock Louis Conradie.

Verblitz will be playing in the First Division of the newly revised Japan Rugby League One, which gets under way on Friday, January 7.

Du Toit, capped 58 times by the Boks and a key figure in their 2019 World Cup triumph, started his career at the Sharks - where he played 37 matches.

He moved to the Stormers in 2016 and played 59 times for them.