Details of Bok shooting revealed
NEWS UPDATE: Springbok and Super Rugby coach Naka Drotske was in a “stable” condition in hospital Friday, after being shot during an armed robbery outside Pretoria.
The 47-year-old, a member of the 1995 World Cup winning squad, was at his brother’s property when three men broke into the house on Thursday evening, police told local media.
“From what we hear Naka is in a stable condition and the medical staff believe he is going to be okay,” Free State Cheetahs official Harold Verster told AFP.
Drotske played for and coached the Cheetahs, one of the major South African provincial teams, who are based in Bloemfontein.
Drotske was having a braai with his brother Tinus and his family – as well as legendary Bok prop Os du Randt – when the attackers broke in.
“They all had weapons and were pointing the guns and shouting. One was spraying tear gas,” Tinus Drotske told news24.
“My brother Naka got up and actually rugby-tackled them out of the house and on to the veranda. The next moment we just heard these shots being fired and Os got up and also went outside and then they ran away.
“My brother came back into the house, we locked up and that’s when we realised he had been shot.”
Our thoughts are with former #Springboks Naka Drotske and Os du Randt and their families, who were the victims of a robbery near Pretoria last night. Naka was shot and is currently in critical condition in hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/NkszdiqV0a
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) November 30, 2018
Drotske suffered severe blood loss after being shot three times. No one else was injured.
“There was a struggle whereby one of the men was shot at,” police spokesman Kay Makhubele said.
He underwent surgery at Netcare Montana hospital in Pretoria and will require another operation on an arm.
Police, who combed the property Friday seeking forensic evidence, said two men were being questioned in connection with the incident, but had not been arrested.
Drotske made his debut for Free State in 1993 and forced his way into the South Africa squad for the 1995 World Cup.
He was an unused replacement in the Final, when South Africa – cheered on by Nelson Mandela – beat New Zealand.
“We wish [Naka] him a speedy recovery,” South African Rugby said on its Twitter feed.
Free State Rugby is very shocked by the news. Naka and Os are two of our legendary players, coaches and friends and we keep them in our thoughts and prayers. We wish Naka a speedy recovery and wish the families involved all the best in this difficult time. https://t.co/4Cu7zhOsJ8
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) November 30, 2018
English club London Irish, for whom Drotske played for two years, tweeted its horror at his predicament.
“Our thoughts are with former London Irish player Naka Drotske after this shocking news, we wish him a speedy recovery,” tweeted the club.
Drotske won 26 caps for South Africa, scoring three tries.
He was also a hooker at the 1999 World Cup, when the Springboks reached the semifinals, playing in five of their matches, losing to eventual winners Australia.
He later coached the Cheetahs before pursuing a business career.
Agence France-Presse
Our thoughts are with former London Irish player Naka Drotske after this shocking news, we wish him a speedy recovery ☘️ https://t.co/Cd9UNwNchg
— London Irish (@LiRFC) November 30, 2018
