Welkom club rugby player remains critical after heart stops during game

Welkom Rugby Club player Jaco Weideman remains in a critical but stable condition after being involved in a freak on-field accident on Saturday.

Netwerk24 reported on Monday that the 21-year-old Weideman's heart stopped several times during the second team game between Welkom Rugby Club and the Welkom Rovers on Saturday.

Stephan Pretorius, Welkom Rugby Club's first-team coach, confirmed the incident to Sport24 on Tuesday. The coach hoped that Weideman, who went to Goudveld High School in the Northern Free State mining town, had improved after his initial prognosis.

Pretorius was preparing the first team when the incident took place.

"His condition is critical but stable. However, he is also on dialysis for his kidneys and there's a problem with his liver, heart, and brain," Pretorius said.

"He's struggling, but I will get more information on his condition today because one doesn't know what happened during the night.

"We're praying he was stable through the night and there's some sort of recovery for this morning."

Pretorius, who is also a BokSmart coordinator, said they've already compiled the serious injury report and sent it to SA Rugby.

Pretorius said he was told that Weideman was tackled, and with the ball on his chest, a ruck was formed.

He added that Weideman came off the field shortly after that passage of play, from where he complained of breathing difficulties.

"He was tackled, from where a ruck was formed but the ball was apparently stuck under his chest," Pretorius said.

"The guys then went on top of him and at the time, that's what we thought was the problem with regards to trauma on his heart.

"He was actually fine after the incident and there was a shot at goal after that, from where he was replaced.

"When he came