Ireland and Munster No 8 CJ Stander has announced he will retire from all forms of rugby at the end of the season in news that has shocked the sport.
The South African born 30-year-old won his 50th Test cap for his adopted country during Sunday’s 27-24 Six Nations win over Scotland.
Powerful back-row Stander, who is highly respected in the game, cited family reasons as the main motivation to call time on his career.
“All professional sportspeople are told ‘you will know when the time is right to hang up your boots’,” Stander posted on social media on Tuesday.
“It’s a sentiment one cannot fully comprehend until that day arrives.
“For me, that time has come, and I hereby publicly announce my retirement from all forms of rugby.
“I will be available to represent Munster until 27 June 2021 when my contract expires, and, for International duty, until the end of the mid-year Test window.”
CJ Stander has been virtually ever-present for Ireland since his debut in 2016, having qualified under residency rules the previous year.
