Blitzbok Stephan Dippenaar has retired from rugby and will join a family farming business near Moorreesburg in the Western Cape.

The 29-year-old earned gold medals in the Currie Cup, Super Rugby and World Rugby Sevens Series.

Dippenaar, who was schooled at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, represented South Africa at U19 level, played for the Junior Springboks at the 2008 Junior World Championship and tasted Currie Cup success with the Blue Bulls in 2009. He also featured prominently in the Bulls team of 2010, when they won their third Super Rugby title.

Dippenaar joined the Springbok Sevens set-up in 2012, making his debut for the Blitzboks in Wellington, New Zealand in the 2012-13 season. He was selected to play for the Springbok Sevens in 31 tournaments, played in 124 matches and scored 240 points (42 tries). He last featured in both tournament wins in Sydney and Las Vegas during the 2016-17 World Rugby Sevens Series, won by South Africa.

Injuries blighted most of his season, though, and the former midfielder has now decided to retire.

‘I have decided to call it a day and start a new chapter in my career,’ said Dippenaar. ‘I recently got married to my dream woman and we would like to start a family. I would also like to join my dad on the farm to learn from him for a couple of years and hopefully take over when he retires.

‘The fact that we won the series was also a special way to end it, as I am ending my career on a high.’

Photo: AFP Photo