Johnny Sexton is enjoying his retirement but that hasn't kept him away from the world of rugby after making the trip to Cape Town to watch the Springboks in action.
The Irish rugby legend retired from the sport at the Rugby World Cup last autumn after Ireland's heartbreaking defeat to New Zealand - who South Africa would later beat to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.
Rassie Erasmus' side have subsequently ended the All Blacks' four-year hold on the Rugby Championship by winning the title for the first time since 2019 last weekend.
Tries from Siya Kolisi and Malcom Marx proved crucial as the hosts ran out 18-12 winners over New Zealand - their fourth win against their rivals on the spin.
Johnny Sexton made trip to Cape Town for South Africa win
Sexton, who featured when Ireland got the better of the Boks in the group stages of the World Cup less than 12 months ago, was in attendance as his former opponents made history.
— A-P (@rugby_ap) September 8, 2024
The Leinster legend took to social media where he revealed that it was his first trip to the country despite having played a 17-year career as a top professional - a bizarre stat.
Sexton missed out on Ireland's 2016 Tour of South Africa after suffering a shoulder injury in the PRO12 final prior to the series.
Five years on he was controversially omitted as Warren Gatland looked elswhere for the Lions' unsuccessful Tour there in the summer of 2021.
It is unclear whether he was taking a shot at Gatland for that omission when he took to Instagram to share an image of his plane ticket.
Accompanying the image, he wrote: "Imagine playing rugby for 17 seasons and never going to South Africa... first trip 10 months into retirement."
Pic: Instagram @Sexton_Johnny10
Sexton was all smiles as he was pictured alongside fullback Damian Willemse at the match.
Johnny Sexton in Cape Town for #RSAvNZL (with Damian Willemse). pic.twitter.com/zTmX4tC23f
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) September 8, 2024
There is clearly no bad blood between the pair despite them having an on-field spat when their sides met in Paris last year.
23 September 2023; Damian Willemse of South Africa is dragged away from speaking to Jonathan Sexton of Ireland after the first South African try during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Sexton's fellow Irish rugby legend Jerry Flannery was also in attendance but in a much more hands-on capacity as a member of South Africa's coaching staff.
The former Munster man has forged out an impressive career, notably helping Harlequins end their Premiership title drought and has now added the Freedom Cup to his CV.
Freedom Cup 🇿🇦💪🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/DdGeqFLm8v
— Jerry Flannery (@jerryflannery) September 8, 2024
Brilliant stuff.
One wonders whether Erasmus would be keen on adding another Irishman to his ticket in the form of Sexton.
The controversial head coach would be just the man to try and make such a move come to fruition.
