Willem Alberts has confirmed that he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season, bringing an end to his 19-year professional career.
Alberts, who is part of the Lions squad for the two-match URC tour and EPCR Challenge Cup playoff, told Sunday newspaper Rapport that he is entering the last few games of his career.
Known as the “Bone Collector” for his massive tackles and strong carries, the veteran forward’s contract with the Lions expires at the end of June, when he will be 40 years old.
Alberts missed out on the opening match of the tour against Connacht in Galway, but could still face Cardiff, where he made his Springbok debut, and Benetton in the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Having made his debut for the Lions back in 2005, Alberts played for the Sharks and Stade Francais before returning to Johannesburg in 2020.
“It’s always in the back of a guy’s head. It’s going to happen and you have to stop playing somewhere, but you hardly want to believe it,” Alberts told Rapport.
“The circle is almost complete now. I started with the Lions as a young man and to be able to finish it now is a really nice story and feeling.”
Alberts played 43 Tests for the Springboks, with his final cap coming against Italy in Florence in 2016. He was part of the 2011 and 2015 World Cup squads.
Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile/Gallo Images
The post Alberts ready to complete bone collection appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
