Cape Town - Former Springbok centre De Wet Barry has retired from rugby to pursue a career in coaching with the Eastern Province Kings.

Barry, who played for the EP Kings the last few seasons, played most of his 270 first class matches for the Stormers and Western Province. He also represented the Springboks in 39 Test matches.

Die Burger reports that Barry, 33, announced his retirement on Wednesday. He takes up his role as backline coach of the EP Kings with immediate effect.

It's a role that he played for most part of last season as well after suffering with injuries.

"It's probably not how a player wants to say goodbye. It would have been nice to play one last big match and get carried of the field and receive a handshake from your team-mates," Barry quipped.

"But things don't always work like that. In the back of my mind I hoped to play one more season but I finally had to face the reality."

That reality is that Barry has been hampered by two serious shoulder injuries over the last two seasons.

"My doctor advised me to consider calling it a day," said Barry.

Tragedy also struck the Barry family late last year when his two-year-old son, DJ, passed away after lung complications.