Up-and-coming Lions loosehead prop Rhynardt Rijnsburger has announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 22 on medical advice.
A career-ending medical condition has forced the talented Rijnsburger to retire in just his second season of senior rugby with the Lions.
Thank you for the memoriesš«¶š¦#LionsPrideš¦ pic.twitter.com/chehtvFeyG
ā Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 26, 2024
The product of Paarl Boys High played eight matches for the Lions in all competitions and was on the brink of a successful career in Johannesburg, but medical advice led to his decision to hang up his boots.
“I experienced a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) while on the flight to Scotland for our first tour of the season in October last year,” Rijnsburger recalled. “It’s basically a blood clot in the calf.
“The decision to call it quits was purely medical. If I could, I would still want to play, but unfortunately the doctors felt it was safer for me to not continue as the condition could be life-threatening.
“I had so many special moments during my time at the Lions,” he added. “Certainly, one of the most blessed years I could have asked for.
“A standout moment for me was my first four-week tour with the squad roughly a year ago. I was fortunate to make my debut against Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup in Paris. It was one of the highlights of my life so far.
“Having the opportunity to rub shoulders with some legends in the Lions squad was immense for me as a young player. I will always cherish those times and opportunities provided to me by the management team to be part of something special.”
Looking ahead, the 22-year-old is one step closer to joining the world of finance, having completed his accounting degree ahead of his big move to the Big Smoke to play professional rugby.
āBefore joining the Lions in 2022, I had completed my accounting degree, so my plan now is to pursue a career in the financial field or at least attempt to get into my articles and hopefully try my luck in the corporate world,ā he concluded.
Ironically, the 118kg prop last featured for the Lions in their final match of the 2022-2023 Vodacom United Rugby Championship where his team were victorious against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.
A repeat effort of that performance this Saturday would be a fitting send-off for the now-retired Rijnsburger.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images