Du Toit commits to the Cape… for now
When you are the world player of the year‚ it is perhaps normal for your contract negotiations to become a seismic event.
The rumblings‚ uncertainty and dust have eventually settled with Pieter-Steph du Toit finally opting to remain in Cape Town to play his rugby.
For now that is‚ as he will certainly leave for Europe after the 2021 series against the British and Irish Lions.
Du Toit has chosen to stay at Western Province and the Stormers after his initial decision to cancel his contract shortly before the end of the 21-day window offered to players in return for a collective acceptance of pay cuts due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the end, he did not cancel his contract‚ but had the existing one amended, which means he can now negotiate with overseas clubs.
It also means that, like his teammates, he has had to accept a salary reduction.
While Du Toit indicated initially that he would have his contract cancelled‚ Western Province signalled their intention to dispute the legality of the opt-out window.
The franchise said in a statement it was in their and SA rugby’s interest to have the 55Test veteran stay. They stiffened their stance and despite criticism got their man to stay.
RELIEVED
Naturally‚ Stormers coach John Dobson is a relieved man.
“Pieter-Steph is an important team member‚ his extraordinary work rate coupled with his ball-carrying skills makes our pack even more formidable,” Dobson said.
“The rehabilitation on his injury is progressing well and we are looking forward to seeing him in a Stormers’ jersey again when we get back on the field.
“Not only is this good for the Stormers and Western Province‚ it is also good for SA rugby that we have kept such prominent players in the country
“We are proud as a union of our achievement of contracting eight Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks in the province and keeping them in the country‚” said Dobson.
The coach was also upbeat about the imminent arrival of new signing Warrick Gelant who will fill the gap left by France-bound Dillyn Leyds.
“With Dillyn leaving‚ we couldn’t have asked for anyone better to step into the No 15 jersey. I am sure Warrick’s presence will also have a hugely positive influence on the players around him‚” said Dobson.
Apart from also operating in the No15 jersey‚ Gelant shares Leyds’s versatility. In fact‚ the pair featured on opposite wings when the former was in the Springboks’ starting line-up for the first time against Wales in Cardiff in 2017.
Former Bulls coach John Mitchell noted in 2017 that Gelant could eventually settle in the No 13 jersey‚ while his ability to run at first receiver is a feature that cannot be underplayed.