World Cup winner Brits calls time on career, again

South Africa hooker Schalk Brits has announced his retirement from all forms of rugby union for a second time. The 38-year-old originally brought his career to an end following the conclusion of the 2017-18 Premiership season with Saracens, but he was lured out of retirement by Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus to help with their ultimately successful World Cup campaign. Brits, who joined Super Rugby side the Bulls upon returning to playing, was a valued member of the South African squad in Japan, but he has now decided to call time on his career for good after making a number of sacrifices for his comeback. “I was happy and content with my career when I decided to retire at the end of the English season in 2018, and I was on holiday with my family in Ibiza when I got a text message from Rassie Erasmus,” Brits told The South African. “When I realised it was really Rassie, I decided to give it one last shot and ended up playing for the Vodacom Bulls, something I never thought would happen as a born and bred Capetonian, but I loved my time in Pretoria and we had a good season as well. “It was a season of sacrifice, but it was worth it. When we saw Rassie’s plan – and everyone bought in – we knew what we could achieve and all of us worked towards that goal.” Brits won a total of 15 caps over an 11-year international career, while he also spent a successful nine seasons with Saracens at club level, winning four Premiership titles and two European Champions Cups during his time at Allianz Park.