South African hooker Schalk Brits played his last ever game of professional rugby on Saturday for the Barbarians against Wales.
The 38-year-old represented his country 15 times including a guest appearance at this yearβs World Cup in Japan and he also played more than 200 times for Saracens in the Premiership.
His popularity among the rugby community led to a wave of social media attention for who can only be described as a modern day legend and true gentleman.
REACTION
My memory will always be of a gentleman who has time for everyone, humble, ALWAYS made me laugh, tough on the pitch, thoughtful and kind off it. Basically – blokes a f#ckin LEG-END! πͺπΌ pic.twitter.com/M16i8lmfzg
β Bull ππβ‘οΈπͺπΌ (@tv_Bull) November 30, 2019
This absolute legend is retiring forever.
I asked him what has rugby given him, he simply saidβitβs given me friends and memories for lifeβ
The picture sums him up. #PeterPan pic.twitter.com/uUJvDg0iGQ
β Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) November 30, 2019
@SchalkBrits you are the kind of Springbok everyone wants to stay forever: not only because you are so blerry good, but because you just seem like such a blerry lekker and genuine oke. Thanks for being such a great ambassador ππ»
β Dave Harris (@DaveHarrisIam) December 1, 2019
The legend @SchalkBrits is retiring and I canβt think of a bigger legend on, but even more so, off the rugby field.
πΏπ¦πΊππ» pic.twitter.com/4lTjsfiXtiβ Joe Pietersen (@joepietersen) December 1, 2019
@SchalkBrits never seen a South African enjoy the Welsh anthem so much before! #topguy pic.twitter.com/bLQWxAoWFM
β Jason Freeman (@jfreeman15) November 30, 2019
I mean come on….. howβs that for a rugby CV ππ»ππ»ππ»π₯πΏπ¦πΏπ¦@SchalkBrits https://t.co/WgjraAa0U1
β Kyle Huntington (@KyleHuntington5) November 30, 2019
Goodbye for the 3rd time!π Congrats @SchalkBrits on a fantastic rugby career! Fantastic memories sharing the field with you bud. And now the Olympic Wresting career beckons π€ΌββοΈ!
β Brad Barritt (@bradbarritt) December 1, 2019
Huge congratulations to @SchalkBrits on his 17th retirement…! Was a pleasure playing with you from 1999 till 2017 on/off! No need to big you up, the stats say it all! You are a legend, never stop smiling! πππΌ pic.twitter.com/7NH13f2UJz
β Petrus du Plessis (@PetrusduPlessis) December 1, 2019
3rd timeπ
β Jacques Burger (@Nabasboer) December 1, 2019
You will be missed @SchalkBrits! pic.twitter.com/XQi4E0nGYi
β SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) December 1, 2019
Congrats @SchalkBrits on a great career pal, what a privilege sharing some of it with you!!! Iβll never forget when I signed with Sarries, you were the 1st guy to call and welcome me to the club!!! #stayinthegame!!!
β John Smit (@JohnSmit123) December 1, 2019
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