Bulls stalwart Kuun hangs up his boots

Bulls stalwart Derick Kuun announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect yesterday.

The three-time Super rugby winner, who has also won the Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup as a Blue Bulls player, cited business reasons for his decision, giving up playing at Loftus Versfeld to join the family farming business near Balfour.

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement, but a couple of business opportunities came along and I have to act on them immediately. I will be joining a family business," Kuun said.

Kuun recently played in his 100th provincial match for the Blue Bulls after making his debut against Border in 2004.

He also captained the Blue Bulls at all junior and senior levels, as he did with the SA Schools side in 2002.

He played at national level for the Springboks Sevens team, as well as the national under-19 and under-21 sides, representing his country at the Junior World Cups in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

"Derick was a true team man and a great stalwart for the union," Blue Bulls head of rugby Heyneke Meyer said.

"He is the perfect example of the type of player we want to represent the Blue Bulls and Bulls. He proved himself to be a great leader, played with courage and skill and always gave everything he had.

"He also had an uncanny understanding of team dynamics and because of that, proved to be an outstanding leader," Meyer said.