Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

WP Nel reveals the key factor behind his decision to retire

By PA
WP Nel/ Press Association

Scotland and Edinburgh prop WP Nel revealed that his decision to retire was driven primarily by concerns around his body’s ability to deal with the weekly rigours of professional rugby.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was announced on Tuesday evening that the South Africa-born tighthead – who turns 38 next month – will call time on his career at the end of this season.

Nel, who was unable to play in the recent Six Nations due to neck problems, confirmed on Wednesday that fitness issues were taking a toll on him.

Video Spacer

Former Boks select their Six Nations Team of the Tournament | RPTV

The Boks Office crew go through the players they think would make a team of the tournament. Watch the full episode exclusively at RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

Former Boks select their Six Nations Team of the Tournament | RPTV

The Boks Office crew go through the players they think would make a team of the tournament. Watch the full episode exclusively at RugbyPass TV

Watch now

“It’s not a decision that came very easy but at the end, I had to think about what does the future look like?” he said in an interview with Edinburgh.

“With another year, how would the body react to that. This season, I’ve struggled a little bit with my neck.

Fixture
United Rugby Championship
Sharks
23 - 13
Full-time
Edinburgh
All Stats and Data

“It can feel like the body is not there any more, with recovery and stuff. It just felt right to say ‘right, let’s call it a day at the end of the season’. It’s right for the family.”

Nel arrived in Scotland in 2012 when he joined Edinburgh from South African club Cheetahs. He want on to win 61 caps during an international career that incorporated involvement at the last three World Cups, while he made his 200th appearance for Edinburgh away to Stormers last Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 37-year-old also welcomed four children into the world during his time in Scotland.

“When I think back to when we arrived in 2012, it was probably only my second time out of South Africa, it was a new country, we didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “And to think where we are now, it’s been amazing.

“I was lying in bed this morning thinking what could I have done differently, and there was nothing. To have achieved what I have achieved is just amazing.

“I treated every game since my career started as a special opportunity.

“It’s been a journey for the family. When we came here it was just the two of us – me and my wife – and now there are six of us.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s been a really good journey. Edinburgh has been really good for us as a family.”

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarriors 54 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

In both instances, Ireland can cross halfway in comfort and there are 20 or 30 metres of space in which to work, but a clear sense of purpose is conspicuously absent. Whether it stumbled into a handling error or a breakdown pilfer or delivered a negative kick back to their opponents, Ireland’s transition attack was toothless.”


I disagree with this in the first instance there is a three on one if Osborne receives the pass. He will get past Moefana with only Ramos appearing to confront Osborne, Aki and Sheehan with no-one behind. Probable try, not toothless. As Osborne is on the opposite wing to what he has been training for there is a handling error (understandable). You did acknowledge that Lowe was a blow, but thsi was not a toothless attack, the French defense was beaten there.

The second instance is a kick to Nash, again he will not have trained as much on kick receipts and takes the ball into trouble. Ireland’s systemic preparation is massively important to them but vulnerable to a pre match injury.


As I said previously, in all parallell universes France win, but it might have been a better and more interesting contest without that Injury.


My hopeful view before that match was of a Leinster-LaRochelle type scenario with Ireland building a score and then withstanding an onslaught. Turned out first half was a low scoring Leinster-LaRochelle encounter. Second half was tired Leinster versus Fresh Toulouse.

147 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Five options England have to replace Ollie Lawrence Five options England have to replace Ollie Lawrence
Search