Edinburgh prop WP Nel reveals decision to retire was driven by recovery concerns

Scotland and Edinburgh prop WP Nel revealed that his decision to retire was driven primarily by concerns around his body’s ability to deal with the weekly rigours of professional rugby.

It was announced on Tuesday evening that the South Africa-born tighthead – who turns 38 next month – will call time on his career at the end of this season.

Nel, who was unable to play in the recent Six Nations due to neck problems, confirmed on Wednesday that fitness issues were taking a toll on him.

“It’s not a decision that came very easy but at the end, I had to think about what does the future look like?” he said in an interview with Edinburgh.

“With another year, how would the body react to that. This season, I’ve struggled a little bit with my neck.

“It can feel like the body is not there any more, with recovery and stuff. It just felt right to say ‘right, let’s call it a day at the end of the season’. It’s right for the family.”

Nel arrived in Scotland in 2012 when he joined Edinburgh from South African club Cheetahs. He want on to win 61 caps during an international career that incorporated involvement at the last three World Cups, while he made his 200th appearance for Edinburgh away to Stormers last Saturday.

The 37-year-old also welcomed four children into the world during his time in Scotland.

“When I think back to when we arrived in 2012, it was probably only my second time out of South Africa, it was a new country, we didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “And to think where we are now, it’s been amazing.

“I was lying in bed this morning thinking what could I have done differently, and there was nothing. To have achieved what I have achieved is just amazing.

“I treated every game since my career started as a special opportunity.

“It’s been a journey for the family. When we came here it was just the two of us – me and my wife – and now there are six of us.

“It’s been a really good journey. Edinburgh has been really good for us as a family.”