Pieter-Steph du Toit moving to Cape Town

This was probably the worst kept secret in SA Rugby - but it has now been confiormed in the following article from News24:-

"Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit has confirmed his departure from the Sharks at the end of his contract, which expires in October 2015.

Having made his debut for the Sharks in 2012, du Toit with his strong physicality and presence has become an influential player for the franchise with strong performances that earned him Springbok colours in 2013.

Commenting on his departure, Sharks CEO John Smit said: “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.”

Pieter–Steph thanked the Sharks for the unconditional support the province has always given him during times of fitness and especially injury.

“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.”

“On behalf of the Sharks, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pieter-Steph for his contribution to Sharks rugby and wish him the very best in his playing career moving forward,” concluded Smit.

As one of the subscribers wrote in comments about the article: -

"As much as I hate to see him leave the Sharks, I think the reality is that PSDT & Etzebeth are our future lock pairing. It would make sense to have both these great young locks playing for the same union for the benefit of the Springboks, to form a formidable partnership like Vic & Bakkies did (in their day). That is provided he signs with WP, which is more than likely the case! Go well PSDT, I hope you stay injury free!!!!".

Although the article did not specifically confirm his destination the fact is he did mention his life after rugby.  His family are farming in the Western Cape and he is destined to take over the family farm in time to come.  So he is definitely going to the Stormers/Western Province.   It has been reported previously that Gert Smal was after him to sign for the Stormers and although the initial approach was unsuccessful ending in Du Toit saying he would stay with the Sharks - they must have upped the offer massively to convince him otherwise.  The main concern is apparent - Du Toit does not want to lose contact with the family farming business and that was also a major consideration.

This must be disappointing for my friend Mozart - he is a definite avid Stormers-WP supporter and his constant criticism of Du Toit would now be regarded as almost treasonous by his fellow-Stormer supporters.   He may change his tune after Du Toit start playing for his new franchise.     

Do we know who will be the Stormers' coach for 2016 onwards?

If Proudfoot is still the forwards coach then PSDT may benefit in terms of his skills development. I guess Proudfoot must get some recognition for the development of the Stormers' forwards.

I do not rate Smal's coaching skills all that high.

Proudfoot will be linking up with outgoing Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee at Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers in Japan, but Director of Rugby Gert Smal remains hopeful of retaining his services on a consultancy basis, which would see him contribute to the ‘Tight Five Factory'; an innovative project which is aimed at identifying and developing tight five players from youth level and up within WP Rugby.

Proudfoot, 42, has served as forwards coach of both the Stormers and Western Province for the past seven seasons, which has seen the Cape team’s pack become one of the most feared units at Super Rugby and Currie Cup level.

In that time, the likes of unheralded juniors Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Nizaam Carr have progressed into the Springbok ranks (either as Test players or squad members), with the Stormers’ scrummaging power a huge boon in their recently-completed 2015 Super Rugby campaign.

Smal commented: “First and foremost, Matt deserves a lot of credit for what he has achieved here during his time as forwards coach of both the Stormers and Western Province.

“Like with Allister (Coetzee), it was always our intention to retain Matt’s services at WP Rugby, but, that said, you cannot stand in somebody’s way should they feel like a change after years of loyal service.

Proudfoot moved to the Cape at the start of 2009, having been a successful coach of NWU-Pukke at national and Varsity Cup level, and he will be leaving the union with fond memories; which includes three South African Vodacom Super Rugby Conference titles and two Absa Currie Cup triumphs.

"It was a dream come true to coach at Western Province – the union and the Stormers and Western Province teams will always remain very close to my heart,” said Proudfoot to the www.iamastormer.com website.

“There comes a time for change, however, and although I am leaving I will be leaving with fond memories and many friendships and plenty of experience.