Springbok forward forced to retire – report

· The South African

In recent weeks and months there have been ongoing concerns around the playing future of Springbok loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez, who has continued to battle with concussion-related issues.

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The 30-year-old has not played since January after suffering a head knock, which was the latest in a long history of concussions in his career, and it has now reportedly led the talented forward into early retirement.

According to respected publication Midi Olympique, Du Preez has taken the decision to hang up his boots.

Unlucky Springbok has enjoyed a stop-start career

At club level, Du Preez enjoyed lengthy spells both with the Durban-based Sharks and English club, Sale Sharks, but the former schoolboy prodigy ultimately only featured in 14 Tests – with injuries often scuppering his ambitions at the worst possible time.

The loose forward has not played a Test since facing Argentina in August of 2023, and although it seemed he was set to receive an extended opportunity last year, illness ruled him out of the Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Cape Town.

A knee injury then sidelined him for the remainder of the season before then linking up with French club Bordeaux Bègles, but he has played very little, while also sadly suffering the career-ending concussion.

Unsurprising decision

Just recently, Bordeaux Bègles president Laurent Marti admitted that Du Preez should seriously consider retirement.

“I have serious doubts, but there are medical experts for that,” he told Sud Ouest. “If it were my son, I would ask him to stop because I’m very scared.

“It would be a huge loss for us because he’s exactly the kind of player who would have done us a lot of good.”

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