Cape Town - Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers’ contract at English club Leicester Tigers will not be extended beyond this season.
The 35-year-old has made just two appearances for the English club since joining them after the Rugby World Cup, with a knee injury sidelining him since he scored a try in Leicester's win over London Irish on February 28.
Leicester’s director of rugby Richard Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester: "He is out of contract, and with Matt Toomua coming, it was always just for this season.
"Whether Jean decides to carry on playing or not is a question for him."
De Villiers retired from international rugby when he broke his jaw against Samoa during last year’s World Cup in England.
He captained the Boks 37 times and retired as the second most capped Springbok captain of all time, and is currently the fourth most capped player in the history of South African Test rugby, with 109.
It is not yet known whether De Villiers will continue playing professional rugby when his contract with Leicester runs out.