Former England international Hendre Fourie has revealed his disappointment at not being able to stay in Britain after the cancellation of his work visa.
The forward's contract with Sale was cancelled last week when a shoulder injury forced him to quit the sport and now that he is not playing professionally he cannot get a visa to remain in the country.
The 33-year-old, whose 18-month-old son Hendro was born in England, has been in the country for eight years, playing for Rotherham and Leeds before his move to the Sharks, but he admitted there is little choice for him other than to return to his native South Africa.
He told The Times: "I can play for England but I can't get a passport to stay in the country.
"If I had remained on a sports people visa for another two years, I would have got residency, but unless someone is willing to give me another contract, that is not going to happen.
"My wife (Corlia) is South African, but my boy was born here and I would like to have stayed here and tried to get a teaching job. There were options to appeal but I would have had to wait another few years before I could get my permanent residency.
"It has been a red-tape nightmare and we just decided it was not worth all the hassle.
"That's the amazing thing, I am not able to claim any benefits in this country. I have always paid my taxes, have represented England, but I have to leave while you hear how they protect the rights of terrorists."
Update:
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Mike
5:56pm on 7/1/2013
A good player and a decent man. It's a sad state of affairs when we kick out someone like this but can't get rid of Abu Qatada. Sorry Hendre but the truth is we're ruled by jobsworth bureaucrats who follow rules rather than using their brains.