CJ Stander announces his retirement from rugby

CJ Stander has announced that he will retire from rugby effective from June 2021.

Stander will retire from both international and club duty and he announced his decision on his social media on Tuesday morning.

All professional sports people are told “you will know when the time is right to hang up your boots”. 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. pic.twitter.com/KK5zgWC0O1

— C J Stander (@CJStander) March 16, 2021

"All professional sportspeople are told 'you will know when the time is right to hang up your boots," Stander said.

"It is 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.

"During the lockdown, I did a stock-take of what matters most to me in life. My faith, family and this incredible game I have played since I was six years old easily topped the list.

"However, I came to the realisation that my commitment to rugby has started to take an unfair toll on my family, who both in Limerick and South Africa have made considerable sacrifices for more than 25 years to allow me to live my dream.

"I am not saddened by my decision. I have had a full and utterly enjoyable rugby career, and I can now look back on a journey that offered me rewards, memories and surprises beyond anything I could have scripted for myself.

"I would not change a thing. The 150 matches I played for Munster were some of the most precious and formative experiences of my life."

A dejected CJ Stander of Ireland near the end of the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Sportsfile

The South African born player has 50 caps for Ireland and his last appearance came against Scotland at Murrayfield last Saturday.

Stander is fit for England's visit to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

His contract with Munster is set to expire on June 27th of this year.

More to follow

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.