ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Campaign launches to get Schalk Brits out of retirement, again

BY Grant Constable  ·  Friday Nov 15, 2019

After former South Africa hooker Schalk Brits announced his retirement from professional rugby for the second time this week, his Rugby World Cup winning teammate Cobus Reinach has launched a campaign to prolong his playing time.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 38-year-old hooker is one of the most loved characters in the game, not only for his unique style but for his attitude on the pitch.

The Northampton Saints scrumhalf Reinach has said on Twitter and Instagram that Brits would come out of retirement with 100,000 likes. This is a tall order, but nonetheless, a worthwhile attempt given the success other social media campaigns have had in recent weeks in the rugby world.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B44OYX6HF1d/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

The Saracens legend Brits retired initially in 2018 after a glittering career in London. However, he made his return to rugby in early 2019 playing for the Bulls in Super Rugby, and subsequently was called up to Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks’ side for the Rugby Championship and the RWC.

He was part of the team that won both tournaments, and even captained his country against Namibia in the pool stages in Japan, where he also played number eight.

“I realised later in my career that I only had control over my own performance, and not that of other players or team selection,” he said of the RWC.

ADVERTISEMENT

“So my view was to give it my best shot, but also to push the other hookers in the squad as hard as I could, and if I get selected, great – but it wasn’t the end of the world if I didn’t play and I wasn’t going to upset the apple cart,” he said.

“For me, this was about the journey, experiences and making memories, and being part of something special. Winning almost became a by-product of it all, not that we didn’t put in a lot of hard work and effort to be successful.

“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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

There are few better ways to go out of professional rugby that winning the RWC, and Brits will know that. But given what has happened to him over the past 18 months, nothing would be surprising, and we could be in this very same position in 2021 after he has played a series against the British and Irish Lions.

Despite announcing his retirement, Brits is still set to feature for the Barbarians over the coming month, possibly against Brazil or Wales.

Related Articles

  • 55 WEEKS AGO

    Tickets now on sale as World XV set to face...

  • 55 WEEKS AGO

    '60 metres, plus change' - massive drop goal...

  • 55 WEEKS AGO

    Referee makes 'tackle of the season' as he...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The Gallagher Premiership is back - A thrilling match at Tottenham

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 143 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All