Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu might be two of the most pragmatic players in the game today. Teammates with Japan’s Rugby League One side Toyota Verblitz, the pair said sweeping changes to the structure of the game were inevitable – including South Africa’s potential move to the Six Nations. While South Africa will continue to play in the Rugby Championship until 2025, speculation surrounding a move to the Six Nations refuses to go away. Something du Toit describes as sad, but not entirely out of the question. “My personal opinion is it would be sad to leave the Rugby Championship and not play against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina,” du Toit told media during a press briefing from Japan. “There are definitely pros and cons in terms of moving from the Rugby Championship. Everything in life changes and you just have to adapt to it. The Springboks will always be competitive.” Tuipulotu, who arrived in Japan soon after playing his 41st Test for the All Blacks at the end of last year’s Rugby Championship in Australia, admitted he would miss the Springboks rivalry, but said the game moves on. “I’ve always enjoyed playing in South Africa against the South African Super Rugby sides, and especially the Springboks. If it does happen it would be quite sad, but you’ve got to move on,” Tuipulotu said. “There’s a tough physical edge you get from the South African rugby side and for myself it was important that I got exposure to that. I definitely learned a lot playing that style of rugby, but it certainly made me a better player. “For us as players, you focus on your next job, your next role on the field, and I suppose off the field. That’s what it comes down to.” For now, that role is in Japan with Toyota Verblitz, where Tuipulotu joined du Toit last September on a one-year contract. This pair have followed in the footsteps of the current Wallaby captain Michael Hooper, and former All Black captain Kieran Read, who played for the club last year when they reached the semi-finals before bowing out to the eventual champions Saitama Wild Knights. Both players said there were a lot of positives to Japan’s domestic league, including exposure to different styles of the game. Tuipulotu is reunited with former All Blacks’ World Cup-winning coach Steve Hansen, who is now director of rugby at the club, while he will be playing under coach Simon Cron, also a New Zealander. They join Springbok fullback Willie le Roux on the Verblitz roster, as well as Brave Blossoms star Kazuki Himeno, who was named Player of the Year in 2021. “It’s a different experience, but one I won’t take for granted,” Tuipulotu said. “Before I came here there were a lot of stereotypes about Japanese rugby being less physical. It’s only less physical if you’re not working hard enough. As a rugby player you’ve got to keep pushing the boundaries. If you’re not sore after a game, you’re not working hard enough.” The 29-year-old du Toit said he welcomed a change of environment. “I must say it’s awesome for me to be in Japan, it’s been four months and the change of environment has been a positive thing. I’m using my body to play a different style of game. I’m developing new skills and focusing it’s definitely going to help me if I get picked for Springboks again.” Du Toit, World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019 when the Springboks won the World Cup, hopes to wear the South African jersey against Wales this summer and wants to defend the World Cup trophy they won in 2019. “I want to play well and do what’s expected of me to try and get in the squad for the World Cup,” he said. “I’ll do everything in my ability to be part of that.” Similarly, Tuipulotu is eyeing a position with the All Blacks when they face Ireland in July. “I’m very aware of that. It’s making me work harder than I would back home. There’s a lot of young talent coming through the ranks, and that keeps me on my toes. I’ve gotta play well and do things my way. If I don’t get picked, that’s on me, but if I am fortunate enough to be there, I know what I can bring.”