Veldsman stabbed
Shaun Veldsman, a former top referee who is now a top TMO, was stabbed on his way home to Robertson after acting as TMO at the Newlands match between the Stormers and the Blues.
One of the best TMOs in the world he was down to be the TMO at the vital match in Dublin on Sunday between Ireland and England, a match to be refereed by Craig Joubert.
Veldsman will not longer be at the match as doctors have told him that he will not be able to fly.
At about 21.00 on his way home along the N2, the driver's window of Veldsman's bakkie was broken and he was stabbed.
He was able to get out of the vehicle with its keys and run someway down the road.
A motorist stopped to help him and they went back to the bakkie. The criminals had left but had tried to start the bakkie and in doing so destroyed the ignition.
The bakkie was towed away and Veldsman was taken to the Stellenbosch Mediclinic where he was found to have a punctured lung.
The lung was reflated and he was admitted to the intensive care unit. He has been moved from intensive care into a general ward.
Apart from the damage to his car, only his cellphone was taken – not his laptop or his wallet which were behind the driver's seat.
Veldsman remained conscious and coherent throughout.
Deon van Blommestein, also once a top referee and now a top TMO, went to see Veldsman in hospital on Monday and through him we were able to talk to Veldsman and assure him of our prayers and good wishes.
Veldsman, formerly a schoolmaster, refereed the first of his three Tests in 2003 and the Currie Cup Final in 2003 between the Blue Bulls and the Sharks. He has made a great contribution to refereeing the TMO process.
The whole of the rugby world will wish him a speedy recovery, from the injury and the trauma.
