Stormers lock David Meihuizen has introduced his retirement from rugby with instant impact.
Meihuizen, 24, performed his schoolboy rugby at Paarl Boys’ Excessive earlier than representing UCT within the Varsity Cup. A late bloomer, he made his Western Province debut in 2018, and the Stormers the next 12 months.
His sudden rise was eye-catching and in 2020, there have been rumours that the two.06-metre lock, who qualifies to characterize Scotland, was being lined up by the Bravehearts for a profitable deal as a undertaking participant.
Meihuizen made 23 appearances for WP and eight for the Stormers, the final of which got here in opposition to Connacht on the Sportsground on the finish of February. On Tuesday, the 24-year-old introduced his retirement through social media citing the recommendation of consultants relating to the chance of constant to play given his historical past of concussions.
I’m penning this to publicly announce my retirement from rugby.
Resulting from circumstances out of my management and the recommendation of respective specialists I might be retiring from all types of rugby.
On account of having many concussions over the course of my quick profession I’ve been suggested to cease enjoying the sport to be able to stop any long-term harm to my mind.
I’m heartbroken. I’ve performed by torn ligaments and muscle tissues, cracked bones and every part in between. I’ve woken up at 4am to drive to coaching classes. Skilled till I’ve vomited. I’ve missed extra household and social gatherings than I can depend. I’ve poured my blood, sweat and tears into this sport for 7 years and it was price each second of it. I fell in love with the camaraderie, the teamwork, the technicality and complexity.
Many boys dream of rising up and enjoying for the Stormers. I didn’t. As a result of I by no means thought I’d. I used to be by no means one of the best rugby participant. I wasn’t even the second or third greatest. However on the age of 18, Western Province Rugby have a tall skinny child from Paarl an opportunity.
From there I discovered a house with UCT and the Ikey Tigers. 4 years of my life I’ll cherish endlessly. Brothers on the Inexperienced Mile. Warrior Poets who helped form my profession and self. All of the whereas quietly engaged on my rugby till in 2019 on the age of 21, I acquired a name to inform me I’d be operating out for the workforce I had supported since I might stroll.
For the subsequent 3 years I lived out a dream I by no means knew I had. I had achieved extra for myself than I ever thought attainable and performed for my childhood workforce. And my profession was solely simply beginning. However now I have to say goodbye.
I want I might say one thing constructive like I’ll come again stronger, however I can’t. As a result of it’s over and this isn’t a cheerful ending. This isn’t one thing I had deliberate for. That is the top of my rugby profession.
I’ve heard individuals say, “You by no means know if this might be your final sport.” These phrases have by no means rung more true as I gained’t have the ability to play my “final” sport. I’ll miss this sport. I’ll miss standing aspect by aspect with my Stormers brothers within the trenches. I’ll miss the 5am get up calls, the mauling classes, the weigh-ins, the workforce buildings, the pre-match jitters, the post-game beers, the heavy hits, and lineout takes, the workforce talks, the match evaluation, and the cheer of the group. I’ll miss all of it.
This isn’t a call I take calmly however my well being must be my first precedence. I wish to thank Western Province Rugby for his or her religion in me as a participant. And I couldn’t have picked a greater union to have spent my quick profession at.
And lastly to the Stormers and Western Province boys. Thanks all for the seasons. The wins, losses, heartbreaks and celebrations. For the chums I’ve made, experiences I’ve had and life classes I’ve discovered. I do know what this jersey means to everybody so thanks for letting me share it with you.
