SA Rugby and the country’s players’ association, MyPlayers, on Thursday held a workshop on the advancement of concussion protocols in the local game, with the aim of increasing concussion prevention and rehabilitation training.
With the topic of player safety increasingly under scrutiny, and in the wake of Samoan rugby player Faiva Tagatauli’s death from a head injury this week, the Springboks’ stakeholders’ workshop was timely, as the sport has often been criticised for not doing enough to prevent injuries.
It also comes just days after former South Africa utility back Patrick Lambie was forced to retire from the game at age 28, citing ongoing head trauma issues. He had suffered multiple concussions during his career, one of which persisted for 40 days in 2017.
Lambie told SA rugby magazine: “Considering the number of concussions I have suffered, and above that, the amount of time it takes to shake off the symptoms afterwards, it is better to avoid the risk of further head injuries.
“We have tried rest, medication, neck treatment, jaw treatment, eye rehabilitation, multivitamins, and now I am to avoid any strenuous exercise and sports that require contact. Therefore, I am retiring from the game completely.”
Clint Readhead, the Senior Manager of the Medical Department at SA Rugby, said in a statement after the workshop: “In modern sport, it is extremely rare for all interested parties with potentially competing interests to work towards jointly improving player welfare standards.
“Rugby cares, and this is why we are collectively doing something about it and I want to thank the various role players for their valuable contribution towards the success of the gathering.”
The emphasis of the workshop was to find ways to train coaches and medical professionals to effectively recognise and treat concussions, from domestic to international level.
Former Springboks center Brendan Venter, who helped organise the event, added: “Being a medical doctor, a former Springbok, and the dad of a young rugby player, makes this topic very relevant and close to my heart.
“It is so important that things are done properly, so this workshop is a massive step in tightening up the way we do things.”