Retirement call from veteran Scotland international after illustrious career

Veteran Scotland and Edinburgh tighthead prop WP Nel has announced that he will call time on his career at the end of the 2023/24 season, bringing an end to an illustrious career as a professional which started in 2008.

South African-born Nel, who joined Edinburgh from the Cheetahs in 2012, made his 200th appearance for the Scottish capital club against the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town on Saturday.

The 37-year-old, who qualified to play for Scotland on residency grounds, joined Chris Paterson and Allan Jacobsen as the only players who are in the exclusive Edinburgh ‘double century club’.

Illustrious international career

Nel made his Test debut for his adopted country against Italy in Turin in 2015 and has since made 61 international appearances. He also played at three Rugby World Cups: in England (2015), Japan (2019), and France (2023) and featured in each of Scotland’s 13 matches at the global showpiece during that period.

He crossed for three tries during his international career, with two of those scored during World Cup matches against the United States in 2015 and Japan in 2019.

His only other try for Scotland was also scored against the Brave Blossoms in 2016.

Nel made his 50th Test appearance against New Zealand at Murrayfield in 2022 and played his last game for Scotland against Ireland during last year’s World Cup.

He was full of pride when reminiscing about his international career.

“To have the opportunity to play for Scotland is something I’m incredibly proud of,” said Nel. “The memories in the jersey are unbelievable.

“When you stand there, singing the anthem, it’s a moment to be proud of, to be part of a team that will represent Scotland.

“My family was the forefront of everything. To have them in the stands, it makes you stronger, it lifts you, you want to perform for them, so it’s always been brilliant to have them there.”

Scotland boss Gregor Townsend paid tribute to Nel, saying: “WP has given a huge amount to Scottish rugby over a number of years.

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“He was a joy to coach as every time he took to the training pitch, he gave it his all, no matter how much his body was giving him issues. WP will rank amongst the best props to play for Scotland, highly respected from coaches and players alike – and he also had a brilliant sense of humour.

“I know how much playing for Scotland has meant to him and his family, and we are so grateful for everything he has done in the shirt.

“We’ll miss his smile, his love of the scrum and some very skilful moments that often lit up our training sessions. We wish him all the best for the rest of the season and in his retirement.”

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt was also full of praise for Nel and hailed his impact at the United Rugby Championship outfit.

‘A tremendous servant to Ediburgh’

He said: “WP has been a tremendous servant to Edinburgh Rugby over more than a decade, he’s one of only three double centurions in the club’s 150-year history and has made 61 appearances for the Scotland national team in an incredibly tough position.

“He goes about his business with a quiet assurance but his contribution to the club and his adopted country speaks volumes and cannot be questioned.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with WP since joining the club last summer and I know he’ll continue to give everything to the jersey – as he always does – for the remainder of the season.”

Edinburgh managing director Douglas Struth thanked Nel for his service to the club.

Struth said: “He moved here as a young man in 2012 and quickly established himself as the cornerstone of the club’s front row, making a name for himself by dismantling opposition scrums with an eye for the try line.

“Off the rugby field, he’s made Scotland his home, raising four children here in Edinburgh with his wife, Alana, all of whom are a big part of the social fabric of the club.

“He’s a been a fantastic competitor and we will be all sad to see the day he finally hangs up his boots. I’m sure everyone connected the club will want to give him the proper send-off he deserves whenever his final game comes this season and of course, what I’m sure will be an emotional farewell at our Season Awards.”

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