Sale Sharks can confirm that Rob du Preez will leave the club at the end of the current season to pursue an opportunity abroad.
The 32-year-old South African international, who is out of contract next summer, originally joined Sharks on loan in 2018 before making a permanent switch the following season.
Equally happy at fly-half or in the centres, Rob quickly became a key part of the Sharks team and has gone on to make more than 160 appearances for the club, many alongside younger brothers Jean-Luc and Dan. He has scored 881 points.
Fans’ favourite Rob has clocked up 76 consecutive Prem starts – a league record – and last season his 1,520 minutes were bettered by only two players.
Rob said: “This has been a really difficult decision because of the genuine love I have for the club, the city and my teammates.
“There will be plenty of time for talking at the end of the season – all my focus and commitment now is on making sure this is a season to remember for everyone associated with Sale Sharks.”
Rob started his career with the Western Province and the Stormers in Cape Town, making 57 appearances over four years, scoring 483 points.
He then went on to join the Cell-C Sharks in Durban at the start of the 2018 season, where he won the Currie Cup under the tutelage of his father Rob Snr, before spending a short time on loan with Sale in the Gallagher Prem at the end of the year.
The following year, 6’4” Rob signed a permanent deal with Sale Sharks.
Rob Jnr won his first cap for South Africa against Wales in a test played in Washington DC in 2018.
