Just In: South African-born France lock Paul Willemse has announced his immediate retirement after struggling due to…
South African-born France lock Paul Willemse has announced his immediate retirement after struggling with head injuries.
The 32-year-old was raised in Pretoria, where he came through the ranks at the Lions and the Bulls before moving to France in 2014.
A year later he joined Montpellier, where he would spend the next decade and establish himself as a fan favourite.
Willemse, who qualified for France in 2018 and went on to win 32 Test caps, last played on 5 October 2024, lasting only five minutes in Montpellier’s Top 14 clash against Stade Français.
His final Test outing came earlier that year, in France’s Six Nations opener against Ireland, where he received both a yellow and a red card in the first half – a bitter ending after missing the 2023 World Cup through injury.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Willemse said repeated concussions had forced his hand.
“After many years on the field, it is time to close this chapter,” he wrote. “Rugby was not just my career, it was my only dream, my whole life. Choosing to stop after multiple concussions has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made. For a long time, I tried to hold on, because when you’ve lived one dream, it’s frightening to imagine life beyond it. But I’ve come to accept it, and even find comfort.
“I thank the coaches who believed in me, especially those who shaped me as a young man. I thank my family, above all my wife, for walking every step of this road with me. And to the supporters who have followed me from South Africa to France. I carry your voices with me.
“The victories, the struggles, the lessons, I wouldn’t change any of it. It made me the man I am today. One dream ends, but the man it shaped remains.”
Willemse leaves the game with 32 Test appearances for Les Bleus and a Top 14 title with Montpellier.
