South Africa Rugby
Pretorius calls time on career
ESPNscrum Staff
October 25, 2011
Bulls centre Jaco Pretorius is tackled by the Leopards defence, Blue Bulls v Leopards, Currie Cup, Loftus Versfeld, August 21, 2009
Jaco Pretorius played 87 provincial games for the Bulls and the Lions © Getty Images
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Former South Africa centre Jaco Pretorius has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 32-year-old, who played two Tests for the Springboks struggled to overcome a back injury all season and, after taking medical advice, confirmed his retirement on Tuesday. Pretorius won the Currie Cup and back-to-back Super Rugby title with the Bulls after joining from the Lioins in 2008.

"I was so blessed in the 14 years of top flight rugby I played," he said. "Words cannot describe the pride with which I pulled on my playing kit every time I could go out there, whether it was in red, blue or green.

"I injured my back again during rehabilitation, and after seeking the opinions of specialists, I was advised to quit, so my retirement comes earlier than planned. I could not have played my last game at a better place than at the Bulls. To win trophies and play with legends of the game was a special privilege."

Meanwhile, Rassie Erasmus and Allister Coetzee have both dismissed speculation linking them with the South Africa head coach job. Peter de Villiers' future is under intense speculation with his contract set to expire at the end of the year.

Erasmus will resume his role as Western Province director of rugby after fulfilling a technical advisor role with the Springboks. And he told Die Burger: "I am not interested in getting directly involved with the coaching of the Boks, but rather help them on a technical basis once more in 2015."

While Coetzee is also contracted with Western Province as head coach until the end of the season and he told the same paper: "I am contracted until the end of 2012 with WP. I would really like to win silverware with Western Province."

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