Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says it feels great to see top South African players coming back home. The news that pieter-steph du toit is leaving Japan has added fresh excitement ahead of the next URC season. Kolisi believes the local derbies will be fierce. His message is simple: for many Springboks, there is no place like home.
Kolisi speaks from Turin
Kolisi chatted to reporters in Turin before the Springboks face Italy in a Nations Championship Test on Saturday. He was asked about the growing list of players leaving Japan for South African clubs.
His answer was easy to follow. Home will always be home, he said, and nothing beats it. He is glad the players are returning. He also feels South Africans are glad to welcome them back.
It was a warm and relaxed reaction. It also shows how much the national squad values having its stars closer to home.
Why Du Toit is leaving Japan
The Toyota Verblitz announced the exit on Friday. The club said both sides held extensive talks about his future while he was still under contract. The two parties then agreed to part ways.
Du Toit will return to South Africa once the Springboks finish their end of year Nations Championship tour. He has spent five seasons in Japan’s Rugby League One since leaving the Stormers in 2021. He is now 34 years old.
In his own statement, Du Toit thanked the club and the people of Japan. He said they were kind and welcoming to his family. He also explained his main reason for leaving. He did not want to be away from his family or travel back and forth between Japan and South Africa during the coming season.
That is a very human reason, and it is easy to understand. Many players with young children know how hard long distance living can be.
His time in Japan also had a tough patch. In January, the club confirmed that he would go home for surgery on an injury. His league registration was cancelled so that he could recover in South Africa. Reports at the time said he needed hip surgery.
Where will he play next?
Nobody knows yet. Du Toit’s next club has not been announced.
His history gives some clues about his South African ties. He played for the Sharks from 2012 to 2015. He then moved to the Stormers, where he played from 2016 to 2021. During that time he also played for Western Province, alongside Kolisi.
Kolisi had some fun with the question. He said he was not sure where his old teammate was going and joked about Cape Town and Boland. It was a light moment, but it shows how closely fans are watching. Every franchise would love a player like Du Toit.
A growing list of Springboks coming home
Du Toit is not the only one. A clear trend is taking shape. Here is a simple look at what has been reported so far.
| Player | Move |
|---|---|
| Malcolm Marx | Signed with the Bulls |
| Kwagga Smith | Signed with the Bulls |
| Manie Libbok | Joins the Sharks for the 2027/28 season |
| Cheslin Kolbe | Rejoined the Stormers this season |
| Pieter-Steph Du Toit | Returning home, next club not yet announced |
Marx and Smith have both chosen the Bulls. Libbok will link up with the Sharks later, and Kolbe is already back with the Stormers. Du Toit is the latest name on the list, and his next step is the one everyone is waiting for.
What it means for the Springboks
Kolisi said the move is good for the national team. He pointed to the young South African players who are coming through. They can now learn from experienced men like Du Toit and Kwagga Smith while playing in the same league.
That matters. Experience is hard to teach in a classroom. A young loose forward can watch a two time World Cup winner prepare, train and handle pressure every week. That is an easy lesson to absorb when the player is in your own dressing room.
Du Toit has won the World Cup twice with the Springboks. His physical style and work rate have made him one of the most respected forwards in the world. Having him back in a local jersey should help the pathway for the next generation. That part is an opinion, but it is a fair one, and Kolisi shares the excitement.
Derbies set to heat up
Kolisi also looked ahead to the United Rugby Championship. He believes South African derbies will be on fire next season. He said it is hard to predict how they will go because every team is becoming stacked with talent.
That is simple to see on paper. When Marx, Smith, Kolbe and Libbok all play for South African sides, the squads get deeper. The clashes between the four franchises could be tougher than ever. Fans who enjoy a close contest will have plenty to look forward to. You can follow fixtures and results on the official United Rugby Championship website.
There is also a financial and logistical angle that fans often mention. Players who stay in South Africa avoid long flights and big time differences. That could help them stay fresh for both club and country. This is a general point, not a confirmed claim from the clubs involved, so treat it as something to watch.
What to expect next
Here is a simple summary of the key points for fans:
- Du Toit will finish the Springboks tour first.
- He will then return to South Africa.
- His next team has not been announced.
- More South African players may follow the same path.
Fans should wait for official word from the clubs. Rumours spread quickly in rugby, and many turn out to be wrong. The official Springboks website is a good place to check for confirmed national team news.
The bigger picture
For years, South African rugby has lost talented players to richer leagues overseas. The recent wave of returns feels different. Several World Cup winners are now choosing to come back, and that is a big boost for local rugby.
Kolisi’s reaction captures the mood well. He sounded happy, honest and a little cheeky. He is looking forward to playing with and against old friends again.
For supporters, the story is easy to enjoy. A proven champion is heading home, and the next URC season looks more exciting than ever. Where pieter-steph du toit will play remains the big question. Whichever jersey he pulls on, the fans will be watching closely.
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