VIDEO: Pieter-Steph's immediate future in the hands of a specialist
Pieter Stephanus du Toit, or Pieter-Steph as we all know him, is undoubtedly the most dynamic player in the world.
However, the robust nature of his game comes at a price.
Du Toit, after cementing his place in history by becoming the first South African to be named the World Rugby Player of the Year for a second time, revealed that a shoulder 'niggle' requires further medical examination.
The 32-year-old Springbok utility forward beat off the challenge of Ireland’s Caelan Doris, as well as fellow World Cup-winning Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe, to be named Player of the Year at Sunday’s glittering awards ceremony in Monaco.
* To read all about the World Rugby Awards, CLICK HERE!
Du Toit, who has 86 Test caps and two World Cup winners' medals, departed the Bok team last Monday to attend to a 'shoulder niggle' back home.
Speaking to @rugby365com after receiving the main gong, Du Toit described it as a "huge honour and a privilege".
Du Toit was again a mainstay in the Bok charge in 2024, as they retained their #1 ranking, won the Rugby Championship for the first time in five years, finishing with five wins and one defeat.
During the November tour, they easily disposed of Scotland and Wales and also beat England at Twickenham.
However, it was after the Twickenham outing on November 16 that the Bok utility - who featured at lock and flank throughout the year - was sent home with the 'shoulder niggle'.
"I am seeing a specialist on Wednesday," Du Toit told @rugby365com.
"We will make a call on what is going to happen in the next few days," he said about the nature of the treatment - not ruling out the possibility of surgery.
Having flown back from South Africa late Saturday to attend Sunday's awards ceremony, Du Toit said he was grateful to be part of a wonderful Bok team coached by the best in the business.
(WATCH as Springbok stalwart Pieter-Steph du Toit speaks about his second award as World Rugby Player of the Year and gives an update on his shoulder injury....)
"We have a saying in the Springboks [team], we don't count our days, we make our days count," Du Toit said.
"I have been part of the Bok team for a while now [November 2013]," he said, adding: "The life lessons I have learnt - especially from the coaching staff - is a philosophy that I try to live by.
"I try to give my best for the Springbok jersey and every other jersey I play in.
"You never know when it is your last game."
The Boks also provided seven members of the prestigious Dream Team, including four in the pack – Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Etzebeth and Du Toit.
The backs who made the cut are Kolbe, Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende.
"Awards like this are awesome and wonderful to be part of, get the recognition.
"It is a team sport and you can't do it without your teammates.
"Just to be in this Springbok team is a huge honour and privilege and just to be around them is unbelievable.
"To see the quality of the Springboks makes me happy and the Bok game is in a good spot [sopace] at the moment."
Turning to fellow World Cup-winning Boks Etzebeth and Kolbe, he said it is an honour to be nominated with them.
"The records Eben has broken and the special talent Cheslin has, to change a game, makes it a huge honour and privilege to be here.
"I am grateful and it is a blessing that I am here at the moment."
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