Pieter-Steph du Toit back in frame for South Africa’s World Cup campaign

Lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is on track to join the South Africa squad for the World Cup after he underwent a successful knee surgery.

The Sharks star, a certain pick for the Springbok squad if fit, had an operation on his knee after limping out of the Super Rugby clash at the Cheetahs on Saturday. 

There were initial fears he would not recover in time for South Africa’s opening match of the World Cup, against Japan on September 19, but the Sharks expect him to be playing again by the end of June.      

"Pieter-Steph du Toit underwent a knee stabilisation procedure in Cape Town," the Sharks said in a statement.              
"The surgery went well and the damage to the knee joint was not as bad as originally thought. We hope to have him fit again in three months." 

And the 22-year-old took to Twitter to express his delight at the accelerated recovery.

“A miracle just happened.Just got home after surgery, everything went well. Doc said I will be able to play in three months if rehab goes well,” Du Toit tweeted.

Du Toit, who has been tipped by South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer to become one of the world's best locks, missed almost all of the 2014 season with a similar problem.              

While his prognosis comes as good news, Meyer is also sweating over the fitness of captain and centre Jean de Villiers who is in a race against time to be ready for the tournament due to a knee problem