Lock to leave Cell C Sharks
Du Toit made his Sharks debut in 2012 and secured Springbok colours the following season.
The lock has battled with injuries over the past two years.
The Sharks CEO John Smit told the official Sharks website: “We are terribly disappointed to lose a player of the calibre of Pieter-Steph du Toit. Despite our best efforts to keep him in the province, he has chosen to move on. He was scouted and signed by the franchise whilst still in school and ever since his arrival in Durban, he has emerged as a stand-out performer. Sadly, he suffered two serious injuries, which saw his 2014 and 2015 seasons being curtailed prematurely. Our medical team has invested immense time and effort into Pieter-Steph’s rehabilitation and recovery process and we are saddened to lose him, but I guess we cannot hold the player back if he has made up his mind.”
Du Toit also commented on the Sharks website: “This was the hardest decision of my life. The Sharks have always been good to me and if it was not for what the province has done for me I would never have been able to achieve from rugby what I have to date. For this, I will be forever grateful. My decision is one that has a specific focus now already for my life after rugby and also my family. Thank you to every Sharks employee and fan for the privilege I have had to be part of your family. All of you will always remain dear to me.”
The Sharks will open their Absa Currie Cup campaign against the Mpumalanga Pumas on 7 August.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
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