World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has been deregistered by Toyota Verblitz after undergoing shoulder surgery in South Africa, RugbyJP can exclusively reveal.

The 32-year-old back-to-back World Cup winner, who has not played since South Africa’s win over England in November, has been ruled out until May.

Toyota captain Kazuki Himeno missed their home defeat to Saitama Wild Knights and faces a two-month spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Head coach Steve Hansen has delved into market to sign ex-Toyota player and former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper to ease their back-row injury concerns.

The free-spending Aichi side has also signed highly-regarded South African Adre Smith, 27, who has made seven appearances for the Stormers in the URC this season.

New Zealand prospect Blair Ryall, 23, has also joined from Southland Stags.

League One clubs are only eligible to select three players capped by international countries (Category C) for a matchday squad. Former Scotland international Richie Gray and All Blacks legend Aaron Smith occupy two Category C spots with Hooper now replacing du Toit. Gray, Smith and Hooper can all be included together in a matchday squad.

Hooper said that he’s currently not ready to play and needs to get back into match condition and add some bulk to his frame.

Last season Yokohama’s Faf De Klerk’s registration was withdrawn by the club after he picked up a season-ending injury and the club opted to draft in centre and one-time Springbok Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Players in Category C who have been deregistered due to injury or illness can be re-registered in the same season.

Toyota’s last regular season game will be a home fixture against Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay on May 10.

This season’s post-season play-offs will be expanded from four to six teams and will start on May 17. The semi-finals will take place on 24 and 25 May with the final set for June 1.

South Africa’s only two-time World Rugby Player of The Year du Toit will be eligible to play as soon as he is re-registered and will be in a race to be fit to play in the closing games of the regular season.

Hansen and Ian Foster’s side has made a disappointing start with one win from five games and currently sit ninth in the table but are only three points off a play-off berth.

Following a bye-week, Toyota returns to action against Jesse Kriel’s Yokohama Canon Eagles on Saturday 1 February in Aichi. Pictures courtesy of JRLO and SA Rugby