Lions utility forward Ruhan Straeuli has announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 26 on medical grounds.

A career-ending neck injury has forced the talented Straeuli, son of Lions CEO Rudolph Straeuli, to retire in just his fourth season of senior rugby with the Johannesburg outfit.

Ruhan made just two appearances for the Pride this season, both as a substitute in the EPCR Challenge Cup. He featured prominently in the competition and the Vodacom URC in his first two campaigns with Ivan van Rooyen’s charges in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Straeuli was named in the Lions squad for the first time for the Pro14 Rainbow Cup in 2021, and was then included for the Currie Cup campaign that same year. 

Able to play lock and across the back row, the Glenwood High and Menlopark old boy also featured in the Blue Bulls U18 Academy team.

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images