Pierre Spies calls time on his career

Cape Town - Former Springbok and Bulls No 8 Pierre Spies has announced his retirement from professional rugby.

The 32-year-old made his international debut against Australia in Brisbane in 2006 and earned 53 Test caps.

Spies played for the Springboks in three positions - No 8 (48 games), flank (four games) and memorably one match on the wing against the British Lions 2009 at Ellis Park.

He joined former Bok coach Jake White at French club Montpellier in 2016, but was released from his contract after Vern Cotter replaced White as head coach of the Top 14 club.

Spies earned a total of 119 caps for the Bulls between a 2005 and 2015, before joining the Kintetsu Liners in Japan for one season.

According to Netwerk24, Spies is yet to reveal his future plans.

Spies' wife is due to give birth to the couple's first daughter, and third child, in the coming hours.

Last dip for the boys before our world gets changed by the arrival of their princess sister tomorrow! #famille #southoffrance

A post shared by Pierre Spies (@pierrespies_) on Jun 11, 2017 at 8:47am PDT