Strauss calls it a day

Former Springbok captain and current Bulls hooker Adriaan Strauss has announced his retirement from all forms of rugby at the closure of this Super Rugby season.

Strauss retired from Test rugby last year and at 32 years of age has played professional rugby for 14 years.

He began his career in the Bulls’ youth system in 2004 and made his Super Rugby debut two years later, playing eight matches before moving to the Cheetahs who he went on to represent 97 times in Super Rugby. Strauss will subsequently be finishing his playing days where they began, having moved back to Pretoria and captaining the Bulls in 2016 and 2017.

Strauss managed a total of 51 Super Rugby caps for the Bulls making him the most capped South African player of all time with 156 outings to date in the competition.

The hooker acknowledged the difficulty of the decision saying, “It hasn’t been an easy decision, but one that I’ve been thinking about for a while now. I have been blessed to play the game I love, with and against some amazing people, all while building some great friendships. The Bulls have always backed me and given me the opportunity to prove myself, and for this I am eternally grateful. It is however time for me to enter into the next phase of my life and focus on a few new ventures… and of course enjoy being a supporter while I’m at it.”

High Performance Manager of the Blue Bulls, Xander Janse van Rensburg, praised Strauss’ contribution to the union.

“Adriaan is no doubt a legend of Loftus and rugby in this country in general, and will be remembered for his never-say-die attitude. You don’t get to 156 caps unless you are made of something really special. On behalf of the entire #BullsFamily, I would like to wish him everything of the best with what lies ahead,” said Van Rensburg.