South Africa and Bath player Francois Louw will retire at the end of this season, his club Bath confirmed in a statement on Friday.
Louw is one of the club’s longest serving players having been with Bath for nine seasons and made 134 starts in 140 appearances.
He also had a prolific international career with the Springboks including 76 caps and a Rugby World Cup title.
“Bath is a City that we call home now, my family and I have settled here and representing the Club so many times has been one of the many highlights of my career,” Louw said in a statement.
“Whilst this has been an incredibly tough decision to make, the time does feel right to face a new challenge. Right now, however, my focus is with Bath and I will give everything to the Club as our sights are set on making the playoffs and winning further silverware.”
Louw has also lined out for the Stormers, Western Province and Barbarians.