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Skinstad, who played 42 Tests for the Boks in his two spells and captained the team on 12 occasions, said he had turned down offers to continue playing and wanted to bow out at the top.

"There were opportunities to continue in 2008, both in Europe and in South Africa, but I know that the time is right to say goodbye as a player," he said.

"When I met (outgoing Springbok coach) Jake White in London around this time a year ago and we spoke about the possibility of me returning to challenge for a World Cup place I dreamed of it ending with a World Cup triumph but at the time it was just a dream.

"Today I leave the game on my own terms and with the most wonderful memory of experiencing the thrill of winning the World Cup campaign."

The Zimbabwe-born flanker was once regarded as the golden boy of South African rugby after bursting onto the international scene in 1998 but he suffered a number of serious injuries.

He took a break from the sport in 2003 and worked in London while turning out for lower league side Richmond before announcing his comeback in February of this year.

Although he captained the team in the first-round match against Tonga, the 31-year-old was not a regular in the starting line-up during the recent tournament and failed to make the bench for the final against England.