World Cup winner Fourie du Preez announced his retirement from rugby on Thursday – his 34th birthday.
The scrum-half was an integral part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning side and captained the Springboks in four matches during last year's tournament in England.
He played in 76 Tests between 2004 and 2015 and also played for the Bulls in Super Rugby as well as Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath.
"Rugby has been such an integral part of my life in the last two decades, so a lot of deliberation and thought have gone into my decision to retire," Du Preez said in a statement.
"I was fortunate and blessed to play the game I loved for 15 years and for that I'm very grateful. The friends, memories and life experiences I made will last a lifetime."
South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins said Du Preez would "go down in the annals of South African rugby as one of the most decorated players ever".