A rugby player has been left with major injuries after being stabbed following a rugby match in South Africa. The unnamed player was one of three attacked when Jeffreys Bay Rugby Club's match against Port Elizabeth Harlequins descended into violence after the final whistle, with spectators storming the field and throwing bricks and beer bottles.
An investigation is underway into the incident in Jeffreys Bay on Saturday, which reportedly occurred after the visiting Harlequins beat the hosts 24-22 with a last-gasp penalty to send them through to the quarter-finals of the Eastern Cape Super 14 Rugby Competition in what was a decisive match.
The violence is said to have been sparked by a Jeffreys Bay reserve player who - according to the initial findings of the competition's steering committee published on Monday - "assaulted" a ball boy from the Harlequins seconds after the final whistle was blown. Fans from both sides then stormed onto the pitch and joined the scuffle.
Upset by the dramatic late loss, home supporters then began to insult the referees and took their frustrations out further on the Harlequins players and fans.
In the melee that followed, three Harlequins players were injured, with one stabbed with a broken bottle neck. He sustained "major injuries" to his arm and subsequently underwent surgery the following day, before being released "in good spirits".
One of his teammates was beaten with a beer bottle and received stitches to his head, while another had a brick thrown at him, leaving him with a concussion. Both men have also now been released from hospital.
One person has now been arrested following the incident, while the steering committee also confirmed that Jeffreys Bay have been suspended from hosting home fixtures with immediate effect. The investigation to identify others involved is ongoing.
The committee described the outbreak of violence as "a shameless act that is an embarrassment to Eastern Cape Rugby and sport at large." It added that it was looking at providing psychological support to the players and officials affected by the "barbaric behaviour".
In response to the incident, South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander told Rugby365: “The reports we have seen are alarming and we shall be writing to the Eastern Province Rugby Union requesting further information. It should go without saying that if the reports are accurate this behaviour is intolerable, and the strongest sanctions should be considered.
“Rugby is a physical game where players go hammer-and-tongs at each other for 80 minutes, but at the final whistle, we shake hands and have a drink with each other. That is the proud ethos of rugby – this type of behaviour is a disgrace and totally unacceptable."
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