Johan Goosen announces shock retirement

French club Racing 92 announced on their website on Friday that Springbok utility back Johan Goosen has made a shock decision to retire from all rugby with immediate effect.

Racing 92 said that Goosen – who has 13 Test caps – has quit the game to become a “commercial director” of a company in South Africa, with club boss Jacky Lorenzetti threatening to “conduct all appropriate legal actions towards both Johan Goosen and those who advise him”. 

The news comes as a surprise given Goosen was crowned Top 14 player of the year and played an instrumental role in Racing's charge to the 2016 French title.

Goosen recently extended his deal with Racing to 2020.

He has won 13 caps for South Africa since making his debut in 2012, starting at full-back for the Springboks in their most recent Test against Wales.

The 24-year-old moved to France in 2014 after beginning his professional career with the Cheetahs in Super Rugby.

More to follow..