Doppies la Grange

Gideon “Doppies” la Grange has brought the curtain down on his career after a short return stint in the Currie Cup for the Griquas.

The 32-year-old returned to South Africa via Kimberley after playing in Italy for Benetton Treviso in 2013 where he only made nine appearances.

La Grange states the reason for his retirement is that his body was sending him signals.

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“When I returned from Italy earlier I knew I still wanted to play in the Currie Cup before retiring,” he said.

“I listened to my body, but also decided that I wanted to bow out on my own terms and not because of a lack of form.”

la Grange spent the majority of his career at the Golden Lions.

Between 2003 and 2012, he made in excess of 100 appearances for the side in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions.

He also played for their affiliated Super Rugby team – the Cats until 2006 and then Lions from 2007 – making 69 appearances and scoring five tries.

His time in Italy was an injury-ridded one which forced him to cut short his two year contract with Treviso.

The centre was looking to return to South Africa but when the Lions secured the services of former Griqua Howard Mnisi there was no longer a need for the Johannesburg-based team to look into the veteran.

The Griquas threw him a life line and offered him a chance to finish his career in the Currie Cup where he made six appearances before retiring after their final game of the season against the Blue Bulls.