Paralysed Anzil still in Cape hospital
KNYSNA - Anzil Williams, a young rugby player from Humansdorp, is recovering in a hospital in Cape Town after he broke his neck in two places in a match during a rugby sevens tournament in Knysna last week.
Williams, a Grade 11 learner at Humansdorp Senior Secondary School, represented his school's team at the Knysna 7s Tournament, which was held at Loerie Park from 29 September until 1 October and hosted by Titans Rugby Academy. A media release by the academy's management on Monday 2 October stated that Williams sustained a "very serious" neck and spinal injury while attempting to make a tackle during their match against the Rheenendal Boys U16 team on day one of the competition.
"Anzil was immediately treated on the field by the paramedics before being removed from the field whereafter an ambulance took him, accompanied by his coach, to the hospital," the statement reads. "[Williams] was then transferred from Knysna to George Hospital before being transferred to Cape Town where he will be treated. Doctors informed the parents that he broke his neck in two places and that he is currently paralysed from the neck downwards. We kindly ask that we keep him and his family in our prayers during these challenging times, and we remain hopeful for a full recovery."
Messages of support have since been pouring in from far and wide on social media. This included a video statement from the DHL Stormers that was posted on Titans Rugby Academy's Facebook page on Tuesday 3 October: "Anzil Williams, on behalf of the DHL Stormers, we would just like to wish you a speedy recovery. We are thinking about you and we wish you well, may God be with you.
“We hope to see you at the rugby really soon, good luck my friend,” they said during the video.
Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick also sent a video message to Williams, all the way from France: "I'm very sorry about the sad news we've heard about your injury. I just want to wish you all the best with your operation and hopefully we will get great news from the doctors and medical specialists. I know you love the game we call rugby, but I just want to say be positive my boy and be strong. Hopefully everything will go well and you'll recover, and you will be able to spend time with your family."