Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to return to action for the Stormers in the opening round of the Rainbow Cup, while Handre Pollard and RG Snyman are also said to be back in training with their respective clubs.

Du Toit last played in February 2020 when he suffered a serious leg injury while on duty for the Stormers. According to Rapport newspaper, Du Toit made a full recovery from the injury but was further waylaid when he suffered a broken nose in a training ground collision with his brother, and fellow Stormers forward, Johan.

The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year is now back to full fitness and will get some much-needed match fitness when the Stormers host the Sharks at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.

Commenting on his long-awaited comeback, Du Toit told Rapport: ‘All that matters now is to get back on the field, to get game time under the belt and to just enjoy playing again.’

Bok coach Jacques Nienaber has also confirmed the expected return-to-play of two other key national players – Handre Pollard and RG Snyman.

Pollard ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Montpellier in a French Top 14 clash against Racing 92 last October, while Snyman tore his anterior cruciate ligament when Munster took on Leinster in August 2020.

Both have started training with their clubs and Nienaber has been informed the duo will be ready to play by 1 May.

Meanwhile, Eben Etzebeth is also set to recover from his broken finger in time to face the Boks’ three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions.

‘Handre and RG back in training. The cooperation of clubs like Montpellier and Johann van Graan’s Munster in terms of Bok player injuries has been very good,’ Nienaber said.

‘I also saw the scans of Eben’s broken finger. He should be be ready to play within the next six weeks.’

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