South Africa’s star forward Eben Etzebeth has suffered a return of concussion symptoms and been sent to specialists, ruling him out of action for the immediate future, his club the Sharks said.
The sport has responded to the tidal wave of medical evidence that has emerged over the last decade which details the lifelong impact that concussions and brain injuries have on the sufferers, by making some shifts towards limiting head contact and prioritising player welfare.
The lock is a two-time World Cup winner with the Springboks and his performances last year saw him nominated for World Rugby’s Player of the Year for a second successive time.
The testimonies, from the likes of ex-Wales international Alix Popham and England’s 2003 World Cup-winning hooker Steve Thompson, as to how their day-to-day lives are impacted by what they believe is the effect of head injuries sustained during their rugby careers are heart-wrenching.
Eben Etzebeth has not played since suffering concussion in December.
