Western Stormers halfback Ricky Januarie withdrew from the South Africa 2011 Rugby World Cup preliminary squad Friday and announced his retirement from international rugby union.

The 29-year-old was a surprise inclusion at the expense of Sarel Pretorius of Central Cheetahs in a 49-man squad named by coach Peter de Villiers last Monday.

Januarie has also been released from his contract with Cape Town-based Super franchise Stormers and will join French club Lyon in time for the start of the new European season.

"I have had a great run in South African rugby and some fantastic memories but the time has come to move on," said the Springbok, who won the first of 47 caps six years ago.

"Lyon have offered me a new beginning and I want to concentrate all my efforts on helping them in their first season in the French Top 14 championship."

Januarie will be best remembered for a breakaway 2008 Tri-Nations championship try that brought the Springboks their first triumph in Dunedin over greatest rivals the New Zealand All Blacks.

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