Lizo Gqoboka has called time on a distinguished career that saw him rise from rural Eastern Cape beginnings to represent the Springboks and become a cornerstone of the Vodacom Bulls pack for more than a decade.
The 36-year-old loosehead prop, capped twice by South Africa, revealed that injuries in recent years had signalled the approaching end. "Most of my early 30s and the past four years especially, with all the injuries I was getting back to back, I knew it was really getting close," Gqoboka said. "But I was so grateful to finish here, with the Vodacom Bulls."
Gqoboka's final appearance proved a fitting farewell. Named man of the match in a warm-up fixture against the Falcons, he crossed for two tries and earned eight scrum penalties. A week later, with no fresh injury forcing the issue, he informed the Bulls of his retirement. "I just felt that it's time, you know? I knew I was always on the edge, but I just had this knowing now that it's time, at 36. I've had a good run," he said.
His journey to professional rugby remains one of South African rugby's most inspiring stories. Raised in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape, Gqoboka did not take up rugby seriously until the age of 19, having previously worked loading trucks at 15 and at a funeral parlour at 17. "Where I come from, in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, I was taught everything in isiXhosa. I only learned English in university," he said.
Gqoboka went on to represent the DHL Stormers and French side Montpellier before settling at Loftus Versfeld, where he made well over a century of appearances in the blue jersey. Having recently completed a theology degree, he plans to focus on ministry alongside his earthmoving equipment business and motivational speaking career.