In the latest rugby sports betting news, Springbok scrum-half, Ross Cronje, announced his retirement from the sport. The 32-year-old announced the news on Thursday, January 13.
The 32-year-old scrum-half, who made over 150 appearances for the Johannesburg squad across all competitions and made 10 Bok caps, announced he is stepping away from the sport for good. The decision left many rugby fans saddened, as they witnessed the end of a multi-faceted career that began in 2009.
Cronje leaves behind an illustrious career with several remarkable moments, including reaching the Super Rugby final and winning the Currie Cup in 2015. The South African player revealed that he would change careers and instead focus on the property world.
“My focus now shifts to the property world where I’ll be joining a property group specializing in a range of commercial and industrial portfolios. It’s something I’m really looking forward to embarking on a second career,” said Cronje.
As a former captain of the team, Cronje has stated that he believes the current Lions squad will do just fine without him and that he has faith in the team to be solid contenders for the United Rugby Championship title.
“I’ve heard positive things from the guys about their recent tour to the UK, coupled with the excitement of playing in a new tournament.”
“It may have been a tough start for us, but the guys seem to be finding their feet, and I am positive that success is around the corner,” he added.
Ross Cronje began his career in 2009 when he joined Sharks and remained with the team through 2011. During his stay, he made 37 appearances and scored 49 points.
In 2012, Cronje joined the Golden Lions and was a key member of the team ever since.
Throughout the last ten years of his career, Cronje played for the Lions in Super Rugby, Super Lions in the Currie Cup, and the Golden Lions XI in the Rugby Challenge. The 32-year-old also had 10 appearances for the South African national team and five caps for the South African U-20 squad.
While winning the Currie Cup in 20215 with Super Lions remains Cronje’s most notable success of his career, the South African scrum-half leaves behind a career filled with highlights and notable moments.
While Cronje calls it quits on his career, his twin brother Guy Cronje has yet to hint at possible retirement. Guy is currently a fly-half for the KwaZulu-Natal club side College Rovers.
Shortly after Cronje’s announcement of his intentions to retire, Lions Rugby Company CEO Rudolf Straeuli issues a public statement, thanking Ross for his contribution to the franchise he was a part of since 2021.
“Ross has been a prime example of a true professional,” said Rudolf Straeuli.
“Besides being a quality player, he displayed immense maturity within the leadership group and served as an outstanding example to the younger players in our system. We wish him and his family well as they embark on life after rugby.”
The Lions are currently competing in the United Rugby Championship, where the South African rugby squad sit in 11th place on the standings, with a 5-2-3 record. This leaves them nine points short of reaching the top-eight and making it into the postseason.
Lion’s next match of the tournament is slated for January 29, when they take on the current 15th-place team, Bulls, who have managed only one win from five outings (1-0-4).
While Cronje’s former team hasn’t been faring too well in the United Rugby Championship, the Lions will have a chance to make it right in the 2022 Currie Cup, slated to kick off on Friday, January 14.
Besides the Lions, the 2022 Currie Cup will feature Cheetahs, Sharks, Griquas, Pumas, Western Province, and the reigning champions, Blue Bulls. Lions’ first match of the tournament is slated for Saturday, January 15, when they take on Western Province.