“Schalk was an invaluable member of our squad and someone who not only lifted the spirit amongst the players but set an example with his professionalism and superb work-rate throughout the last two seasons”
The oldest member of the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup (RWC) winning squad, Schalk Brits, has retired from rugby for the second time in two years, but he insists this time it’s the real deal as he reflects on a career that ended on the highest of high notes in Japan.
The 38-year-old Brits was lured out of retirement in 2018 by Bok coach Rassie Erasmus to join the Springbok squad – after a career that included 74 Super Rugby caps with the Lions, Stormers, Bulls and more than 200 appearances for English powerhouse Saracens.
Before that, Brits hadn’t played in Green and Gold since the Rugby World Cup in 2015. And although he played in 15 Tests in an international career spanning 12 seasons, the ever-smiling, hot-stepping hooker retired as a Springbok captain with a RWC winners’ medal around his neck.
“Schalk was an invaluable member of our squad and someone who not only lifted the spirit amongst the players but set an example with his professionalism and superb work-rate throughout the last two seasons,” said Erasmus.
“He came in with one goal in mind and that was to make the Springboks successful, putting aside his own ambitions and selflessly working for the greater good of the team, as player and mentor to younger squad members.
“To say Schalk is a team player would be underestimating the massive role he played in our success, and for that, I can only thank him.
Despite being part of the squad for almost the entire 2018 season, Brits was only used as a replacement in the third Test against England in Cape Town.
He received more game-time in 2019, as a replacement against Australia in Johannesburg, before leading the Springboks against Argentina in Pretoria and Namibia in the City of Toyota. Brits lost only twice in the Green and Gold.
Brits said: “I was happy and content with my career when I decided to retire at the end of the English season in 2018, and I was on holiday with my family in Ibiza when I got a text message from Rassie Erasmus, but at first I thought it was Vincent Koch playing a joke.
“When I realised it was really Rassie, I decided to give it one last shot and ended up playing for the Vodacom Bulls, something I never thought would happen as a born and bred Capetonian, but I loved my time in Pretoria and we had a good season as well.
“It was a season of sacrifice, but it was worth it. When we saw Rassie’s plan – and everyone bought in – we knew what we could achieve and all of us worked towards that goal.
“Everyone knew their roles and how much hard work it would take, and we got stuck in. As a squad, we spent a lot of time together and it was unbelievable being part of this experience.”
Brits said as the Boks’ season progressed and they won the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, the belief in the squad that they could go all the way, started to grow. He was also very proud to captain the side against Argentina.
“I didn’t expect to be named captain and I was very proud, but it was an easy job with the guys around me,” said Brits.
“The Rugby World Cup in Japan was an amazing experience for all of us – we decided to embrace Japan and make the most of it,” he said.
“Leaving Japan with a gold medal was obviously great, but even if we hadn’t won, I would still have loved going to Japan, being part of an amazing tournament and a wonderful Springbok squad,” Brits added.
