Proof that Springbok heroes aren’t invincible, even World Cup-winning ones, was plain to see as SA Rugby today confirmed the retirement of Steven Kitshoff following a severe neck injury.
Given the hazards of tight forward play, it was the smartest decision the great man could have made.
That it came in the same week that Eben Etzebeth spoke encouragingly about returning to play for the first time since December on account of severe concussion symptoms only served to remind us of rugby’s inherent dangers.
The Sharks took a conservative approach to managing Etzebeth, going slowly and carefully in their bid to ensure he regains full health. This is a sensible response, and a world away from how it used to be.
Years ago, players would be given a pat on the back and urged to continue. This was the case with hard as nails Francois Pienaar, the decorated former Bok captain, who always put his body on the line. Uli Schmidt, a medical doctor and teammate, openly speculated that he could become punch drunk.
Pienaar suffered several concussions throwing his body about, the last of them against the All Blacks at Newlands in 1996.
He never played for South Africa again.
In 2014, as world rugby faced a reckoning about the effects of concussions, Pienaar told the Irish Independent, “It is a worry, every now and then, when I have a senior moment, I think, ‘I hope my brain hasn’t stopped working’.”
There is now much more awareness about the damage and the protocols surrounding players, particularly at the top end, have become far stricter. Medical practitioners now tend to err on the side of caution, especially since the launch of a class action lawsuit against the game’s rulers by over 200 players.
Not a terribly far way from King’s Park, where Etzebeth plays his franchise rugby, former Bok flyhalf Pat Lambie makes his living as a property developer.
The former Sharks hero suffered five concussions during his career, none worse than in 2016 when CJ Stander clattered into him late during a Test match against Ireland.
Persistent pain, headaches and stinging eyes became too much to bear and Lambie walked away from the game at the age of 28 in 2019 having played 58 times for South Africa.
There has been no bigger rugby hero, no one who has given more for his country, than Etzebeth.
He throws himself about every time he plays and does so ferociously. The miracle is how he has managed to do so in a first class career that began 13 years ago.
The cuts and scrapes he laughs off.
But his instances of concussion have increased, which must worry a man even of his dimensions.
He suffered his first playing against England in 2016, and again playing Super Rugby three years later.
Worse came in 2021 when he was concussed three times while playing for Toulon who, like all French clubs, demand their pound of flesh.
It’s hard to think of a Springbok team playing without Etzebeth, the heart and soul of the pack. But think we must.
With a young family and a ton of cash, the least the big man deserves is to enjoy both.
While the sport will always demand physicality and resilience, the wellbeing of its heroes must remain paramount.
