South African-born Irish star CJ Stander announces retirement

CJ Stander in action for Ireland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland No 8 CJ Stander has announced that it will retire from all forms of rugby at the end of the current European season.

The 30-year-old had just made his 50th appearance for Ireland against Scotland in the Six Nations last weekend.

He cited family reasons as the main driver for the decision.

“All professional athletes are told ‘you’ll know when is the right time to hang up your boots.’ It’s a feeling that you can’t fully understand until that day comes. For me, that time has come.

“During the lockdown, I took stock of what matters most to me in life. My faith, my family and this incredible game that I have played since I was six years old easily topped the list,” Stander said in a statement Tuesday. .

South African-born Stander began his professional career with the Bulls in 2010, before moving to Munster in Ireland, for whom he has played 150 games. He also played an audition for the British & Irish Lions against the All Blacks in 2017.

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Stander also highlighted his desire to raise his family in South Africa.

“I realized that my commitment to rugby has started to unfairly affect my family, who in both Limerick and South Africa have made considerable sacrifices over more than 25 years to allow me to live my dream.

“I am not saddened by my decision. I have had a complete and absolutely enjoyable rugby career, and now I can look back on a journey that offered rewards, memories and surprises beyond what you could have written for me. Don’t change a thing.

“The 150 games I played for Munster were some of the most precious and formative experiences of my life. My blood will remain Munster red long after I have said goodbye to the people of Limerick.”

Stander added that Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) had tried to get him to change his mind.

“It was during a frozen training session in Munster towards the end of 2020 that I knew I had entered the final stretch of my career. I wondered if I was still enjoying this enough to earn the continued support of Munster and Ireland, and to justify the sacrifices my family was making From a performance perspective, the answer was yes.

“But I always intended to retire while still playing some of my best rugby. I also knew that I wanted my daughter Everli to grow up with her family in South Africa. When all these intentions and considerations were intercepted during that training session, I spoke about the implications of the same with coach Johann van Graan and the Irish Rugby Football Union.

“I deeply appreciate that they tried to persuade me otherwise, but I knew it was time. I will play my last games as a professional athlete with satisfaction and gratitude for what it was and what awaits me in the next chapter of my life.”

He concluded: “Now that I shift my focus directly to my family, I do so in the hope of leaving the Irish jersey in an even better space than when I first inherited it.

“Ireland has enormous talent working its way through the ranks, and now is the time to step back and allow a new generation of players to answer Ireland’s call.”