South Africa forward Pierre Spies retires from rugby aged 32
Sunday 20 August 2017 13:41, UK
South Africa back-row forward Pierre Spies has retired from rugby at the age of 32.
Spies confirmed the news in a statement on his website after his contract with French Top 14 club Montpellier expired earlier in the summer.
Between 2006 and 2013, Spies played in 53 Tests for South Africa, predominantly as a No 8 but also briefly as a flanker.
"As a professional rugby player, I have thought a lot about this day," Spies said in the statement. "It is a moment every player is destined for, and yet you cannot control how and when you accommodate it in your life.
"Much speculation has been going around the past two months about my rugby career and the way forward.
"This statement confirms my retirement from all forms of rugby. It has been a wonderful journey and one I will remember for the rest of my days, but it is the end of a chapter in my life.
"It is impossible to give credit to all people who contributed towards my career and please do not see an omission of any name as an absence of gratefulness on my part."
