Veteran forward Willem Alberts has officially stated that he will not be seeking a contract extension once the current season comes to a close, effectively marking the end of his illustrious 19-year career. Known fondly as 'The Bone Collector' for his fierce physicality on the field, Alberts began his professional journey with the Lions back in 2005, and he feels a sense of fulfillment in closing this chapter where it all began. With experience playing in both the second and back-row positions, as well as representing the Sharks and Stade Francais, Alberts earned 43 Test caps for the Springboks, where his brutal playing style was highly praised.

Despite feeling the weight of retirement looming on the horizon, the 39-year-old acknowledges that it is time to embrace this new chapter, happy to complete the cycle of his career with the Lions. The Lions team has been performing exceptionally well this season, clinching a spot in the United Rugby Championship playoffs following a victory over Connacht. As they prepare to face Benetton in the Challenge Cup playoffs, Alberts aims to contribute his experience and skill to potentially secure a historic win for the Johannesburg-based team.