One of South African rugby’s top exports and influential figures at English Premiership club Sale Sharks will call time on his career at the end of this season.
Former Sale captain Jono Ross will retire following the 2022-23 Premiership campaign, hanging up his boots after a 12-year professional career.
The 32-year-old, who joined Sale from Stade Francais in 2017 and has played more than 150 games for the club, has agreed an early release from his contract in order to return to SA with his family.
Ross started his senior career with the Vodacom Bulls in 2011, and had a brief stint in Europe with Saracens at the end of that season before returning to Pretoria for another year.
In 2014, the loose forward left the Bulls and headed to Europe, where he spent three years in the French capital and won the Challenge Cup and Top 14 with Stade Français.
“Since joining the club in 2017, Sale and Manchester have really become a home away from home for my family and I. We have absolutely loved our time at the club and living in Manchester,” Ross told the club’s website.
“To the Sharks fans, thank you for the support over my six years here. You are all fantastic. Please keep behind the lads as you really do make a resounding difference on the pitch. It’s been a great ride and I will miss running out at the AJ Bell but at some point your body tells you when it’s time to stop, and for me that time is now.
“I am hugely excited for what’s to come next, but you can be sure I’ll be watching the boys continue to grow from afar. Hopefully in the sun with a beer in hand!”
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Hear from Jono and the boss here?
— Sale Sharks ? (@SaleSharksRugby) April 28, 2023
Photo: salesharks.com