Let youngsters embrace rugby, safely and fairly

SOUTH Africa’s victory to become World Rugby Champions has no doubt inculcated a new vision for many youngsters in the country – that they, too, will become the Siya Kolisis, Handré Pollards, Faf de Klerks and Makazole Mapimpis of tomorrow.

Alas, as we soak up the triumphant atmosphere and beam with pride at our national team, we also need to use this same vigour to support the offshoots of SA’s community, namely school rugby and women’s rugby, particularly our national women’s team.

This week, World Rugby indicated that the Springbok Women’s Sevens is no 1 on the African continent and ranks 15th in the world.

While 15th place in the world may not be a thrilling feat, it is nonetheless a great achievement, as it leaves room for improvement.

On the other hand, grass roots rugby in this country has in the past often been marred by heartbreaking events.

Previously, a study led by Dr Louis Holtzhausen from the School of Medicine at the University of the Free State, indicated that many rugby injuries in South African schools were not monitored and managed properly, often leading to fatalities.

In July, 15-year-old rugby player Benwill Adelaar died during a rugby game in Villiersdorp in the Western Cape. He is one of the many schoolboy players who had ambitions to make it to a national level, but had their lives cut short.

The deaths are not limited to South Africa.

In 2016, the BBC reported that there was a “high incidence of severe injuries” attributed to rugby players at schools in Northern Ireland, according to a major new study from Ulster University.

This, then, means that we ought to look at ways to ensure youngsters participating in this sport are protected.

We also need to support foundations such as the Players’ Fund, which was established in 1980 in honour of the late Western Province full-back Chris Burger, and Petro Jackson.

Burger sustained a fatal neck injury following a tackle during a Currie Cup match in Bloemfontein, while Jackson also suffered a neck injury during a club competition match in April 1987.

In the meantime, as we belt out the popular track by British rock band Queen, We Are the Champions, let us make sure that we truly are in all spheres of rugby in the country.