Heinrich Brüssow has explained why he decided not to extend his contract with the Cheetahs.
The 28-year-old openside flank has instead extended his contract with his Japanese club, the Docomo Red Hurricanes, for a further two years and will not return to play Vodacom Super Rugby for the Cheetahs.
'I feel I'm at a stage of my career where I have to look after my own body,' Brüssow told Rapport newspaper. 'That's why I have signed a two-year contract in Japan. My new challenge is to take that club to a higher level and I'm going to focus all of my attention on that.'
Brüssow, who signed his first contract with the Cheetahs in 2005, said he had been loyal to the union because he had enjoyed playing his rugby in Bloemfontein.
'Earning more money [at another union] didn't matter to me,' he added.
Cheetahs partner with Japanese club
Photo: Stefan Postles/Getty Images
