Sale Sharks back Rob du Preez will leave the club at the end of the 2025-26 campaign to “pursue an opportunity abroad”, the club have said.

The 32-year-old South African plays at fly-half or centre and has made more than 160 appearances for the Sharks since signing initially on loan in 2018, before making the move permanent.

He holds the record for the most consecutive starts in Prem matches, with 76.

Du Preez, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign, said the decision to leave had been a “really difficult” one to make.