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Springboks captain Adriaan Strauss will retire from Test rugby at the end of the 2016 season.Strauss, who has so far earned 59 caps for South Africa, announced the decision via SA Rugbys official website on Thursday.The 30-year-old became the 57th Springbok captain against Ireland in June, when appointed by coach Allister Coetzee.When Coach Allister approached me to lead the team, I was both humbled and honoured, Strauss told SA Rugby. The plan was for me to serve and lead a team in transition as well as I can and take things week by week, but back then I already told him that I was thinking of retiring at the end of the season.Ive always accepted the pressure and the challenge of playing for and captaining the Springboks, I feel its the right time to let my team-mates and our supporters know of the decision I made, with a greater plan in mind.I knew my role was going to extend beyond what happens on the field on a Saturday and that we were starting a building process of something special with a new group of players, many of whom will become Springbok greats.This is a young team and Ive been honoured to work with a very talented group of players and leaders in establishing a new team culture. I believe the time is right to start giving more opportunities to this new generation and Im happy to be used in any way the coach sees fit.It has never been about me. My point of view was always to do what is best for the team and I believe Ive succeeded in making a contribution to the Springboks and South African rugby, which were two major reasons for me to retire.Every older player has this voice in the back of his head that hed like to retire on his own terms, and I believe that is what I am doing.Im very grateful for my Springbok career and to all coaches and team-mates who have played a role in my development as a player and as a human being. The last few months have been especially enjoyable, as well as massively challenging. My decision make it official is so that the coach and his management staff will have sufficient time to do their succession planning.The Springboks are lucky to have a massively passionate base of supporters, who are very critical of many aspects of the game. I would like to urge them to keep the faith and remain positive, because were on an exciting journey and this team will keep on working as hard as possible to make our supporters proud.Head coach Coetzee led the praise for his captain. Ive known since day one that Adriaan was planning to retire at the end of 2016, but he is a vital component in our team and his role has been part of our succession planning in any case, he said.He is a magnificent servant of the game in South Africa and doesnt always get the credit he deserves. At a time when most players of his generation decided to move abroad, Adriaan chose to remain here, ploughing back into the game.Adriaan has captained the team with great courage in the past few months, often rallying the players on the field when real leadership was needed. He has also led by example during the week leading up to our Tests -- none of which the public sees.Ive come to know Adriaan as a player who only wants what is best for the team, so he will help the younger players and leaders come through the system, knowing they will need to get game time and exposure at Test level. Vans Australia Sale . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Cheap Old Skool Australia Free Shipping . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. http://www.cheapoldskoolaustralia.com/ . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Vans Old Skool Sale . 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The three-time champion, who hadnt won since the Italian GP in May, will be joining Ducati next year after nine seasons with Yamaha.This was my final gift to Yamaha, Lorenzo said.Marquez, who was crowned world champion two races ago, finished only a second behind Lorenzo after recovering from a poor start that dropped him from second to seventh by the first turn at the Valencia track in southern Spain.The biggest problem of the race was the start, I lost a lot of positions, Marquez said. But then it wasnt so difficult to overtake. I tried to stay calm and attack. With a couple more laps maybe I could have made the pass for the win.Loreenzo, in his 250th grand prix start, said he worried about losing the victory toward the end.dddddddddddd suffered those last 10 laps, he said. 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