Nel calls it a day after stellar career

A week after achieving a stellar milestone of 200 caps for his club Edinburgh, South African-born tighthead prop WP Nel has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

The 37-year old has also played for Scotland 61 times since making his debut in 2015 and has become a stalwart of Scottish rugby since moving there from the Cheetahs in 2012.

Nel, who also played in three World Cups for Scotland - in 2015 in England, 2019 in Japan and 2023 in France - played in a combined 13 matches in the World Cup.

He scored two tries in his long test career - one against the USA in 2015 at the World Cup and the other against Japan in 2016.

He won a 50th cap in the home test against New Zealand in 2022, with a 61st and final outing for Scotland coming in last year’s Rugby World Cup meeting with Ireland.

Nel, in a statement put out by Scottish Rugby, spoke of how proud he was of his time in the Scottish jersey.

“To have the opportunity to play for Scotland is something I’m incredibly proud of. The memories in the jersey are unbelievable.

“When you stand there, singing the anthem, it’s a moment to be proud of, to be part of a team that will represent Scotland.”

“My family was at the forefront of everything. To have them in the stands, it makes you stronger, it lifts you, you want to perform for them, so it’s always been brilliant to have them there.”

'A JOY TO COACH'

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend paid tribute to the prop forward, adding: “WP has given a huge amount to Scottish rugby over a number of years.

“He was a joy to coach as every time he took to the training pitch he gave it his all, no matter how much his body was giving him issues. WP will rank among the best props to play for Scotland, highly respected from coaches and players alike – and he also had a brilliant sense of humour.

“I know how much playing for Scotland has meant to him and his family, and we are so grateful for everything he has done in the shirt.”

“We’ll miss his smile, his love of the scrum and some very skilful moments that often lit up our training sessions. We wish him all the best for the rest of the season and in his retirement.”

Nel has a butchery in Edinburgh that is likely to take up his time after retirement.