South African World Cup ace Joel Stransky last night announced his retirement from rugby union. Out-half Stransky has been forced to quit the game at the age of 32 after suffering a serious knee injury playing for Leicester last season.

Stransky will remain with the English Premiership champions as backs coach but his playing days are over.

"I am hugely disappointed that I will not be playing competitive rugby again, especially as last season, before the injury, I felt that I was playing some of my best rugby," said Stransky.

"I had thought that I had at least another two seasons left in me, but now I have to come to terms with the fact that it's all over."

Stransky guaranteed himself rugby immortality by dropping the extra-time goal that saw South Africa crowned world champions four years ago in Johannesburg.

His 15-point contribution enabled the Springboks to defeat New Zealand 15-12, with Stransky's performance proving the difference in a tightly fought World Cup final.

He won 23 international caps, scoring 240 points for his country, while he amassed well over 500 since joining Leicester in December 1996.

He badly damaged his knee while making a tackle during Leicester's match against Fiji at Welford Road last December.

Twice he attempted comebacks but the injury continued to trouble him and bone damage was recently diagnosed, which meant no way back.

Centre Allan Bateman pulls on a Wales wing jersey against Canada on Saturday, but has admitted: "I loathe it."

The Northampton tough guy has been used by Wales during the reign of coach Graham Henry at inside and outside centre but now has his been handed his third position in the back line.

The 19-times capped player is happy to be in the starting line-up, but the number 11 jersey holds little attraction for him: "Wing is not my preferred position. We have only got three wingers in the squad and no competition. But generally I think we should pick specialist wingers for a specialist role."