Concussion forces another Springbok 10 into retirement
Just weeks after Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie was forced to retire, another Springbok star has to hang up his boots following doctors commands.
Former Springbok and Western Force flyhalf Peter Grant has announced his retirement from Rugby.
The 34-year-old made the decision to retire after receiving specialist advice from doctors in regard to past head injuries. The decision has been an emotional one, but Grant is excited to experience rugby as a spectator and spend more time with his family.
“There is a lot of excitement because now I get to go to the games and watch it with my kids though it’s going to be a challenge. It is also going to be a big change and I am excited for that,” Grant said.
“But initially it was shock and then disappointment and uncertainty because this is all I know, and I was really getting geared up for another season. You go through the phases and there is a lot of emotion about that.”
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The versatile back made his first appearance for the Force in 2016, earning his first cap against the Melbourne Rebels in Round 1 of the Super Rugby Competition and has since played over 25 games for the Force.
Grant also amassed over 880 points for the Stormers over 10 years and played five games for South Africa, debuting against Australia in 2007.
As a distinguished playmaker, he has travelled the world through his love for the sport, including playing for teams in South Africa, Japan and France and fondly reminisces on the adventures that rugby has allowed for him.
“For me, one of the highlights that comes to mind is that I’ve been able to travel with rugby and rugby has taken me to so many places and I have met some incredible people through this game,” he said.
“When you start up playing rugby in South Africa, all the Australians and the New Zealanders are your competitors, but when I got to travel I got to play with these guys.
“The characters you meet along the way and the friendships that you make, that is definitely one of the greatest highlights of all.”
But since making the move to the West, Grant has made himself a home in the state with wife, Leigh-Anne, and his three children and is looking forward to spending more time with family.
Head Coach Tim Sampson said Peter’s retirement has been upsetting for the whole team and is a great loss to the rugby community.
“The recent news was devastating for every member of the squad and staff and naturally our thoughts are with Peter and his family,” Sampson said.
“Within our programme and during games, Peter was a calming influence on those around him, so to lose someone of Peter’s experience leaves a huge void.
“Peter has contributed immensely to the Western Force during his time at the club and he will be missed. It is never nice to see a player’s intended retirement plan taken out of their control and dictated by injury.”
On his decision to leave, Peter wanted to thank his family and friends for being a part of his rugby career, especially his wife, Leigh-Anne, his parents and his faith.
“A big thank you to my wife, she travelled with me when I left Cape Town to go to Japan and followed me to France and now when I brought her to Australia. She has been with me every step of the way and she’s been a huge pillar of strength and support for me,” Grant said.
“My faith as well, and Christ have also been a big source of support for me.
“And of course, my parents, for putting a ball in my hands and then following me from when I was a junior and watched me grow and calling me after each game to make sure I was okay.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments