Tragedy in South Africa as 1st XV rugby player, 18, dies after head injury in match
This article is sourced from www.news24.com
Tragedy has struck at Dale College in South Africa after 1st XV rugby player Liyabona Teyise, 18, died on Saturday (9th April) after suffering a head injury during a game.
Liyabona Teyise
According to the school, Teyise suffered a collision in a match against Port Rex Technical High School first team that was being played at that school in East London.
Teyise lost consciousness briefly, but was then able to walk off the field where he was attended to by a pitch-side medical team.
After having trouble breathing and being given oxygen, Teyise was then rushed to Frere Provincial Hospital where he underwent an emergency CT Scan which revealed bleeding on the brain.
He died during the night.
Dale College headmaster Garth Shaw, along with Teyise's family and other members of the school's staff, waited at the hospital until long into the night for news.
On Sunday morning, Shaw woke up to the confirmation from Teyise's family that he had died.
Teyise played lock for his team and was wearing a scrum cap when he took contact in a moment that Shaw described as "seemingly innocent" at first, with the player looking to pass the ball in a tackle while going to ground.
There was no obvious tackle to his head region.
The incident took place just before half-time.
Teyise wanted to return to the playing field shortly after having been taken off for blood, but he was rushed to hospital instead with the referee suspecting a concussion while he also suffered a fit on the sidelines.
Speaking on behalf of the Teyise family, Nothemba Thimla, Liyabona’s aunt, said:
“The way he died is sad. It has left us with unanswered questions. We are saddened by his passing, more especially his mother.
“He was a child. He wore a head protective cover while playing. He had all the protective gear and what is puzzling us is how this happened.”
Shaw said he was "devastated" by the news.
"He was a fantastic, brilliant kid," Shaw told Sport24 on Sunday.
"I have spoken to members of staff this morning who have all confirmed the same very positive reflections. He was hard-working, polite, diligent, respectful and also respected by everyone - his peers and teachers - at the school.
"It's just so tragic and I'm absolutely devastated for his family."
Shaw commended the school and medical staff at Port Rex for how they responded to the situation.
"I was very impressed by them and they did all they could," said Shaw.
This is the second tragedy to hit the Eastern Cape school in a matter of days after 17-year-old Lisakhanya 'Carter' Lwana, also a first team rugby player, was found dead on Tuesday having been missing since last Saturday.
"It's horrendous," said Shaw.
"It's almost impossible to believe that our school has gone through this in a matter of days, but I am just devastated for both of the families.
"The support from everyone including the department of education, from within the school, the governing body and the entire community has been incredible."