Springbok and Vodacom Bulls centre Jan Serfontein has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect.
The 33-year-old on Tuesday called time on a 15-year professional career that took him from World Junior Player of the Year to the Bulls, Boks and Montpellier.
It ends a career that included 35 Test caps, a 2015 Rugby World Cup bronze medal and back-to-back honours with Montpellier — the EPCR Challenge Cup in 2021 and the Top 14 title in 2022.
“Every player knows that there’s a time to call it a day,” Serfontein said.
“We used to drive up from Port Elizabeth to watch Currie Cup finals and also the year [2009] they [the Bulls] won the Super Rugby final against the Chiefs.
“I was always a fan from when I was a youngster. There were many highs and lows and I’m massively proud and fortunate to have represented the Bulls.”
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A standout junior who helped South Africa win the 2012 World Championship on home soil, Serfontein made his Bok debut against Italy the following year at just 20.
He spent five seasons at Loftus before moving to Montpellier in 2017, where he made over 140 appearances across eight seasons. His return to the Bulls in 2025 was cut short by a knee injury in April.
“There were many highs and lows and I’m massively proud and fortunate to have represented the Vodacom Bulls,” he said.
Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone paid tribute to his professionalism and influence on younger players, while head coach Ackermann offered a fitting sendoff.
“The person is more important than rugby itself,” the coach said. “I can only thank him for the way he was every day.”
End of an era
Jan Serfontein has called time on an incredible 15-year journey. From a young star at the Vodacom Bulls to a Springbok (35 caps) and a champion in France with Montpellier, he gave everything to the game.
His final season back home was cut short by injury, but… pic.twitter.com/yyeDUoGETH
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 5, 2026
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Bok centre calls it quits appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok and Vodacom Bulls centre Jan Serfontein has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect.
The post Bok centre calls it quits appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
