Thursday 1 September 2016 18:18, UK
South Africa captain Adriaan Strauss will retire from international rugby at the end of the 2016 season.
Strauss, who has 59 caps, led the Boks in a fortuitous 2-1 home series win over an injury-depleted Ireland in June and the home victory and away loss to Argentina in the Rugby Championship last month.
The Springboks hooker took over the captaincy this year, but says he informed new coach Allister Coetzee of his plan to retire before being handed the role.
"The plan was for me to serve and lead a team in transition as well as I can and take things week by week, but back then I already told him that I was thinking of retiring at the end of the season," Strauss said.
I've always accepted the pressure and the challenge of playing for and captaining the Springboks. I feel it's the right time to let my team-mates and our supporters know of the decision I made, with a greater plan in mind."
Coetzee hinted that Strauss's appointment as the Boks' 57th captain was always a short-term move.
"I've known since day one that Adriaan was planning to retire at the end of 2016, but he is a vital component in our team and his role has been part of our succession planning in any case," the coach said.
"He is a magnificent servant of the game in South Africa and doesn't always get the credit he deserves.
"At a time when most players of his generation decided to move abroad, Adriaan chose to remain here, ploughing back into the game."
The Boks' next fixture is against Australia in Brisbane on 10 September, live on Sky Sports.
