The 36-year-old won the World Cup twice with South Africa and featured 31 times in EPCR competitions, amassing 82 points as he turned out for Racing 92, Montpellier and Toyota Cheetahs.

A versatile back, Steyn joined Racing from Sharks in 2009, making his Challenge Cup bow in a pool stage defeat at Wasps later that year.

He spent three seasons at Racing and then had stints back in South Africa with Sharks and in Japan before returning to France to sign for Montpellier in February 2016.

Steyn asserted himself as a key player in the latter stages of the Challenge Cup, playing the full 80 minutes in Montpellier’s wins against Sale Sharks in the quarter-finals and Newport Gwent Dragons in the semi-finals.

He remained at inside centre for the entirety of the final against Harlequins at the Grand Stade de Lyon, helping his side to a 26-19 win and their maiden EPCR honour.

Steyn stayed at Montpellier for another four years before joining Toyota Cheetahs in 2020, turning out once in the EPCR Challenge Cup last season as the Bloemfontein-based side debuted in the competition.

The loss of Steyn, who played 78 times for South Africa, and his EPCR experience will be a blow for Toyota Cheetahs as they return to the EPCR Challenge Cup as an invited club in 2023/24.

“It’s been a tough few months coming to terms with saying goodbye to the game that has been my entire life,” Steyn said.

“In answer to the many questions I have faced since sustaining a knee injury earlier this year, I am hereby announcing my retirement from professional rugby.

“To be honest, this is not how I envisioned the journey ending. Every player wants to end on their own terms, but I am fortunate to have played this game for so long and [am] incredibly grateful for the journey I have had.

“I have given it my everything, and I have no regrets. I have a massive number of people to thank from all around the world for the support throughout the highs and lows of my career.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities, the friendship, the memories and lessons that rugby has given me.

“I look forward to the next chapter and the opportunity to give back to the game that has given me everything.

“Thank you for all the support. It has been a massive honour.”

François Steyn, who won the Challenge Cup with Montpellier Hérault Rugby in 2016, has announced his retirement from rugby.