Big blow as Lions star calls time on his career
NEWS: The Lions have been dealt a significant setback with the announcement that hooker Jaco Visagie is retiring from professional rugby due to injury.
The 33-year-old sustained a neck injury in September and missed the Currie Cup Final as well as the opening stages of the United Rugby Championship.
The Johannesburg franchise star joined the Lions in 2020 and quickly established himself as an integral part of the team’s set-up.
Visagie began his professional career with the Bulls and also enjoyed stints overseas with Gloucester and French side Stade Toulousain, earning a reputation as a reliable and hard-working hooker.
His departure leaves a notable gap in the Lions’ squad as they prepare for the remainder of the season, and fans and teammates alike will feel the impact of losing one of the club’s experienced leaders.
The franchise will now have to lean on loaned Griquas hooker Janco Uys, with coach Ivan van Rooyen also able to call on Franco Marais, Morné Brandon and Marno Grobbelaar.
