DeBeer retires from rugby

By Jason Harris
June 14 2002

Saracens' former South Africa outside half Jannie DeBeer has retired from the game with immediate effect. The 32 year old has succumbed to a succession of knee injuries which marred his short career with the Men in Black.

De Beer signed at the end of the 2000-01 season as a replacement for Australian Duncan McRae, but after his debut against Newcastle in the last home game that term, he was unable to command a regular place in the team.

A pre-season knee injury at Edinburgh meant that he had to miss the start of the season and his continued absence forced then CEO Francois Pienaar to recruit backup in the form of fellow South African Luke Smith.

The return from that injury was a spectacular one against Leicester at Welford Road. Though Sarries lost the game, DeBeer scored a wonderful try which was destined to be the Zurich Premiership try of the month for October.

However, after just one more month, the critical injury which put paid to his career struck. The dreaded knee complaint returned and despite trying to play on through the pain, it was evident that he could no longer continue.

Before returning to South Africa in February for an operation that was hopefully going to prolong his career, DeBeer was responsible for one of the most memorable moments in Sarries' very disappointing season.

This came at London Irish in December when, after Sarries were awarded a penalty 20 metres out and 15 in from touch, DeBeer bent over to tie his shoelaces. Much to the amusement of the Saracens fans and the bemusement of the Irish, DeBeer took a quick tap and with only one Irish player looking, ran towards the line and set up a try for prop David Flatman. The defence thought that as he had bent over, he was setting up a kick for goal, but as he had not signalled this intention to the referee, he was perfectly entitled to take the quick one. A moment of outstanding cunning, let it be said.

Speaking about his retirement and leaving Saracens DeBeer said "I knew I had a couple of years left on my contract and the easy thing would be to just come back and take the money, but that's not me. I knew that there was every possibility that I could be injured again and that Saracens would again be struggling and they need all the help they could get after a couple of bad seasons. I thought the best thing for all concerned was to call it a day and give the club the chance to build for next season."

DeBeer's departure means that Saracens now have one fewer non-EU player on their books and coach Shelford could well use that slot and fill it, perhaps, with another front row forward. Shelford and those players that remain are now on a well-deserved holiday and will return to training on 15 July when it is envisaged that the final pieces in the Sarries squad jigsaw will be put into place.