Thugby means 2 ops for captain

2008-04-16 08:02

Malani Venter

Stellenbosch - The future of rugby for the young is being questioned by the residents of Pniël after an alleged attack at a rugby match shocked spectators.

At a match on April 5 between the Pniël Villagers Rugby Club and Goodwood Rugby Club irate spectators nearly climbed over the fence after the Villagers' captain apparently was kicked in the face.

Morné Lackay was concussed and his jaw was broken in two places.

Shortly after Lackay tackled a player who had already passed the ball, the player kicked him in the face.

The chairperson of Pniël Villagers, Keith Cyster, said Lackay had had too much momentum to stop the tackle.

The Goodwood player received a red card and was sent off the field.

Lackay was treated immediately on the field by the team's doctor and was operated on a few days later at Tygerberg Hospital.

Second operation

A spectator, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "It was bad sportsmanship and completely unnecessary. If there's one thing I don't like in rugby, it is undisciplined play."

Lackay was recovering at home after a second operation on Monday.

He was unsure whether he would take further steps against the player concerned.

Lackay's brother-in-law, Colin Myburgh, said this kind of play on the rugby field had to be eradicated.

"What good is a red card? In three weeks, the same player will be running on to the field again. The next time someone could be beaten or kicked to death.

He referred also to the Premier League match between Delicious and Rawsonville on June 23, 2006 when Riaan Loots, 24, was assaulted and fatally injured.

Myburgh said: "We try to occupy the youth in Pniël with healthy competition through sport. We use rugby and cricket as ways to protect our children from social decay.

"But, who will encourage their children to play rugby if such barbaric behaviour is still allowed?" asked Myburgh.

Cyster said the matter had not been reported yet by the referee to the Western Province Rugby Union.

"I'll wait until Wednesday, then I'll phone the union myself."

The chairperson for Goodwood Rugby Club could not be reached for comment.

- Die Burger