Pumas captain hospitalised
Pumas captain, Eduan van der Walt has been admitted to a Pretoria hospital following a relapse of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, following the Union's Vodacom Cup triumph in May.
GBS is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The disease is usually triggered by an infection, which provokes immune-mediated nerve dysfunction.
This is not the first time he has been affected by this disorder after he made a dramatic comeback to the game on February 14, following 14 months of rehabilitation – which also saw him being handed the captaincy for the Vodacom Cup campaign.
During that time, van der Walt was temporarily paralysed for more than two weeks, after the virus attacked his nervous system, but with a positive attitude, he made his way back to earn his 100th cap for the Union in the semifinal against the Golden Lions and was instrumental in the team securing the title over Western Province in the final.
However, a week after the historic victory adversity hit the Lowveld hero again when he felt signs of muscle weakness in his face and after consultation with the Pumas' team doctor, Dr Kobus Hugo, was immediately admitted into Intensive Care under the watchful eye of Dr Naidoo – the same neurosurgeon who helped him before.
"After several tests, the consulting doctor, Dr Naidoo confirmed he had a GBS relapse and his situation worsened while in hospital before it was stabilised by Sunday, June 7.
"At this moment Eduan is doing well. His body is reacting positively to the medication and we are confident of a full recovery. Currently, he has limited movement in his hands and feet and is breathing strongly. The chances he will need a ventilator are minimal but he will be kept in the ICU so that he can be monitored," Dr Hugo said.
Following a short visit, Mpumalanga Rugby Union President, Hein Mentz stated he is happy with the progress van der Walt has made and that he is definitely in good hands again while CEO, Pieter Burger stated the news came as a shock.
"It was a huge shock for all of us but like we – his friends, teammates and colleagues – stood by him before, we are sure to do it again. He is an amazing leader with a strong personality. We wish him and his family all the best and we believe we will have him back on the rugby field again shortly," Burger said.
