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Pedrie Wannenburg has confirmed his retirement as a player. The Austin Elite forwards coach was a surprise addition to the playing roster after injuries struck the team in the preseason. He would start five games in the inaugural Major League Rugby season, missing three due to a hamstring injury suffered in the opening weekend.
At 37 years of age the announcement comes as no surprise with the former Springbok confirming mid-season that this would be his last. He had previously stepped away from the field following the 2016 PRO Rugby season to concentrate on coaching at the Austin Huns, and was quickly added to the Elite’s staff following the arrival of head coach Alain Hyardet.
His senior professional career spanned nearly two decades starting Pretoria with the Blue Bulls in 2001. Wannenburg signed for Ulster in 2010, leading the team to a Heineken Cup Final in 2012, and then spent four seasons in France split between Castres and Oyonnax. He joined the Denver Stampede for their one and only season in 2016.
A full statement released on social media can be read below:
“It is sad for me to call it a day on my playing career. The life that rugby has given me has been just amazing. I am definitely not done with rugby. I’ve always said one thing I will never do is coaching. Lesson – never say never. Now I am doing exactly that and loving every minute of it. New challenges ahead. Building, learning and growing everyday.
“I just want to thank everyone that made my playing career so much fun. Especially my wife Evette that stood behind me in the good and the not so good times. Isabelle and Francois, my two biggest supporters. Your enthusiasm and excitement kept me going.”
