CONFIRMED: Bok star puts pen to paper with new team

TRANSFER NEWS: Springbok flank Pieter-Steph du Toit has signed with Japan's Toyota Verblitz as he attempts to recover from a shoulder injury, the team said Monday.

The Aichi-based club also acquired All Black Patrick Tuipulotu for the season from January to May.

Du Toit, the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year, recently underwent surgery for a shoulder injury.

He is now in a race against the clock to be fit for Tests in Wales, Scotland and England in November.

"It is a privilege to be part of [the team] and I hope to justify the faith put in me by giving my very best on and off the field," du Toit said in a statement.

Tuipulotu will also join the Japanese team headed by former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.

"I am very happy to be joining Toyota Verblitz, and hope I can add value and assist Toyota in their goal of being the best club in Japan," he said.

"It will be pleasing to see some familiar faces at the club... I am looking forward to my time in Japan and I am very grateful for this opportunity," Tuipulotu added.