The Springbok legend who won the 2019 World Cup and then became a wealth manager at Investec

Business • 3 November 2026 • Kirsten Minnaar

After 20 years of playing professional rugby, including winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup with the Springboks, Schalk Brits has joined Investec as the Wealth Manager and Sector Lead for Investec Sports.

Born in Empangeni on 16 May 1981, Brits attended Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s top rugby schools.

He was scouted at the age of 17 and began playing professional rugby while studying towards a degree in Management Accountancy at Stellenbosch University.

Brits started his professional career with Western Province, representing the team from 2002 to 2004. He then played for the Golden Lions before returning to the Western Cape in 2006.

He became a key player for the Stormers and made more than 50 appearances across two spells with the Cape side.

Known for his mobility and attacking ability, he was an unconventional hooker who could also play in the loose forwards.

Brits made his Springbok debut in June 2008, coming off the bench against Italy at Newlands. However, competition from established hookers limited his opportunities with the national team.

In 2009, he moved to England to join Saracens, where he became one of the club’s most successful players.

He made 216 appearances for the English club and won four Premiership titles in 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2018. He also won two European Champions Cup titles in 2016 and 2017.

His performances earned him several individual honours. These included the Rugby Players’ Association Players’ Player of the Year award for the 2009/10 season.

Brits announced his retirement from Saracens after the 2017/18 season. However, his rugby career was not over just yet.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus convinced him to return ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Brits joined the Bulls after a proposed return to the Stormers could not be completed.

At 38, he was selected for the Springbok squad that went on to win the tournament. He captained South Africa in its pool match against Namibia, starting at number eight and scoring a try.

He also played against Canada in what was his final Test appearance. Brits finished his international career with 15 caps and three tries between 2008 and 2019.

The 2019 tournament made him one of the oldest players to win a Rugby World Cup. He was also part of the Springbok team that won the Rugby Championship that year.

From rugby to finance

Despite playing professional rugby full-time, Brits continued working in finance throughout his sporting career.

After retiring in 2019, he returned to the financial sector and joined Remgro, the Stellenbosch-based investment holding company founded by Johann Rupert.

He later became Business Development Director at Southern Right Capital before taking an 18-month sabbatical.

Brits said on LinkedIn that the break gave him time to reconnect with his purpose and consider what he wanted from his next career.

He joined Investec in April 2024 as a Wealth Manager. In July 2025, he took on the additional role of Sector Lead for Investec Sports.

In his wealth management role, Brits helps clients understand their financial goals and develop strategies around their long-term plans.

He said his rugby career taught him about problem-solving, leadership, building effective teams and developing strong relationships.

Brits applies these lessons to his work at Investec, where he focuses on understanding clients’ values and ambitions.

“My father always said to me: ‘You’ve only got one name, look after it.’ These values of honesty, trust, and knowing what one stands for have resonated throughout my career and my life,” he said.

As Sector Lead for Investec Sports, Brits draws on his experience as a professional athlete and his network in sport to support the bank’s work with athletes.

One of the issues he has highlighted is the financial difficulty many professional sportspeople face after retiring.

“Two-thirds of athletes go into financial distress within five years of retiring from professional sports,” he wrote.

“Our goal as the Investec Sports team is to support these athletes who are heroes to our nation, and provide financial guidance and solutions to set them up for their long-term futures.”

He also remains involved in public speaking and works as an ambassador for several brands. His talks focus on leadership, team building and lessons from his sporting career.

“Nelson Mandela said that sport can unite a nation, and I believe the power of sport is only growing as the world faces increasing change and volatility.”