Former Blues captain Pretorius forced to retire due to rare muscle disorder

Pretorius played for the Blues between 2009 and 2014. Credit: David Jones/PA Wire.

Former Cardiff Blues captain Andries Pretorius has been forced to retire from the sport after being diagnosed with a muscle disorder.

The twice-capped Wales international moved to Worcester Warriors last summer after five years at the Blues.

A statement released by the Warriors today says Pretorius sustained multiple 'inexplicable' calf tears during pre-season training and tears started to appear in other body parts towards the end of last year.

The 29 year old was sent to see a nerve conduction specialist and neurologist and was diagnosed with Neuromyotonia, or Isaacs' Syndrome - a disorder which causes muscles to continuously cramp and preventing them from recovering.

South African-born Pretorius joined the Blues in 2009 and earned 33 caps at the club.