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Cape Town - Sharks stalwart Odwa Ndungane was given the warmest of send-offs in Durban on Saturday as his professional rugby career, in all likelihood, came to an end.
The 36-year-old has retired from the game after spending the last 12 years with the Sharks, and while the Durbanites are still in the Currie Cup semi-finals, it could very well be the end of the road for Ndungane.
Kobus van Wyk is fit-again and is the favourite to start in the No 14 jersey against the Blue Bulls on Saturday, and it seems as though Ndungane knows that he will not feature again this season.
Ahead of the Province game, Ndungane was given the honour of leading his side out onto the field with his children as Alphaville's Forever Young played over the stadium loudspeakers.
The Sharks obviously went on to lose the game, but it didn't detract from the Ndungane send-off that followed.
The former Springbok was clapped off by Western Province and Sharks players alike as one of South African rugby's greatest servants bowed out of the game.
Ndungane took to social media to thank everyone for the support he had received throughout the week in the build-up to the game, while other members of the rugby community also gave tribute messages.
Pic: Gallo Images
Congrats on a great career @OdwaNdungane14 , you were and are an inspiration to all of us!!!
— John Smit (@JohnSmit123) October 15, 2017
@OdwaNdungane14 is one of the most incredible rugby players I have ever had the privilege to work with. He is an inspiration to so many!
— Gary Gold (@GaryGoldrugbyiq) October 14, 2017
What a career. What a player. What a legend.
— Jeremy Ward (@JeremyWard_) October 14, 2017
Congrats @OdwaNdungane14. #Odwa249* #SHAvsWP
