After a decade of service, CJ Stander ready to ride into the sunset

To say the announcement, made yesterday morning to an unsuspecting rugby world was a bombshell is no understatement

THE LONG GOODBYE: A final Ireland appearance, CJ Stander’s 51st, this Saturday against England and then Munster’s quest for a trophy. It would be a thoroughly deserved legacy. Picture: James Crombie

CJ Stander has always had the capacity to surprise.

From the coaches in South Africa who thought he had more hope of converting to hooker than making it as a Test-standard No 8 to yesterday’s announcement that at the peak of his powers and aged just 30, he will be turning his back on professional rugby and charging off into retirement at the end of the season.