South African rugby player Steven Kitshoff revealed that a neck injury he sustained during a scrum earlier this year nearly cost him his life.
Currently playing for Ulster, the 32-year-old initially did not realize the severity of the injury he suffered during a Currie Cup match against Griquas.
Kitshoff underwent surgery last month but faces a lengthy recovery process.
“It was just another scrum, then three cracking noises – pop, pop, pop,” Kitshoff said. “I kept playing, thinking it was a pulled muscle. But now I know, I was two millimetres away from catastrophe, from death.”
“The first thing the specialist said to me was, ‘Listen, you’re lucky we didn’t bury you in a week,’ because the vertebra that shifted is so close to my brain canal.”
“Without the operation, I’d never play rugby again,” he added.
“If my neck holds up, I’m going for it. If I have to retire, I’ll be satisfied, but I’m not done yet. I’ve always been a warrior for my team.”
“Rugby’s a dangerous sport, but I’ll give my all because I’m fighting for my team.”