Lions hooker Jaco Visagie forced to retire after neck injury in blow to URC campaign

The Lions have been dealt a hefty blow with the announcement that hooker Jaco Visagie is retiring from professional rugby due to injury.

The 33-year-old sustained a neck injury in September and missed the Currie Cup final as well as the opening stages of the United Rugby Championship, and has decided to end his playing career after failing to recover fully. 

In a brief statement on social media, the Lions wrote: “Jaco has had to call time on his career due to injury. Thank you for the years of hard work, heart, and dedication to the franchise. Wishing you every success in the journey ahead.”

The hooker joined the Lions from the Bulls in 2020 and quickly established himself as one of the leaders of the team. He was named Lions Currie Cup Player of the Year in 2023.

The burly, yet mobile forward with the high work rate began his professional career with the Bulls and also enjoyed brief stints overseas with Gloucester and French side Stade Toulousain.

His departure leaves a notable gap in the Lions’ squad as they prepare for the remainder of the United Rugby Championship season, where they are in eighth place, with a derby against former team the Bulls away at Loftus their next fixture.    

His last appearance in a Lions jersey was against the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, where he began the season as skipper, but missed out on a place in the final, where his side narrowly lost to Griquas, due to the same injury.

He also captained the side in last season’s URC campaign after regular skipper Francke Horn was injured, demonstrating the high regard the franchise held for the front-rower.

His last appearance in the URC was in the memorable 29-28 victory over the Ospreys in the final round of last season, where Visagie scored two tries in front of his adoring fans.

Lions fans were distraught at the news of retirement of a player with “the hearth of a Lion”, as they joined the franchise in wishing him well.