Former Sale Sharks flanker Hendre Fourie has revealed that he could be deported to South Africa after being forced to retire from the sport.

The 33-year-old announced his retirement last week having failed to recover from a shoulder injury, meaning that his visa is no longer valid for him to remain in the country.

"I can play for England but I can't get a passport to stay in the country. It has been a red-tape nightmare and we just decided it was not worth all the hassle," he told The Times.

"If I had remained on a sports people visa for another two years, I would have got residency, but unless someone is willing to give me another contract, that is not going to happen.

"My wife is South African, but my boy was born here and I would like to have stayed here and tried to get a teaching job. There were options to appeal but I would have had to wait another few years before I could get my permanent residency.

"That's the amazing thing - I am not able to claim any benefits in this country. I have always paid my taxes, have represented England, but I have to leave while you hear how they protect the rights of terrorists."

Fourie has been living in the United Kingdom for eight years.