According to the London Evening Standard website, the South Africa-born 33-year-old made eight senior appearances for
England, with his last coming in the victory over Ireland in Dublin
prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Fourie joined Sale from Leeds in 2011,
but barely saw any action for the club due to injury.
Sale director of rugby
Steve Diamond said: "Unfortunately, Hendre has had to retire. We got the
final confirmation last week after taking medical advice.
"As a
club we have backed Hendre 100 percent in his battle to get fit but
unfortunately, his shoulder has not recovered. His body has been
battered so much that the shoulder won't recover."
Fourie was born in Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape.