Boks will feel Du Preez's absence - Small

Cape Town - Fourie du Preez’s retirement will leave a massive hole in Springbok rugby, former South African wing James Small believes.

The 34-year-old Du Preez officially called time on his rugby career last week having represented South Africa in 76 Tests between 2004 and 2015.

He captained the Springboks in four Tests at the Rugby World Cup in England last year and also won 164 caps for the Bulls and Blue Bulls from 2001 to 2011, and played 55 times for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.

Small, who played 47 Tests for the Springboks between 1992 and 1997, believes it will be tough to find a replacement of Du Preez’s calibre.

Small took to Twitter to salute Du Preez:

What a massive hole Fourie Dupreez leaves in Springbok rugby..one of the best to ever play the game..

— James Terence Small (@JamesTerenceSm1) March 27, 2016