Shock for Casper
31 Jul 2006
A neck injury may force Pumas veteran Casper Steyn to quit rugby immediately.
The likeable 32-year-old fullback heard this morning that his neck injury is more serious than first thought and has been advised by doctors to stop playing rugby.
“I’m still in a bit of shock,” a despondent Steyn told keo.co.za. “I got the call this morning and the specialist (Dr Pieter Kritzinger) said it would be very dangerous for me to continue playing.”
Steyn, one of the true gentlemen of the game and always with a smile on his face, has been playing first-class rugby for more than a decade. He was aiming to retire gracefully at the end of this season or next. “If this is the end, this is not the way I wanted to end it all.”
Steyn fractured his cheekbone against Free State and at the same time experienced pain in his neck. “When I got that shot in the head it felt strange, but I didn’t feel it was that serious and it actually wasn’t that painful. When I went for X-rays for my cheek I told the doctor about my neck and they found two squashed discs. One more knock could be very serious for me.”
At the height of his powers, Steyn was both a fast, evasive runner and a strong tackler. He played in all eleven of the Vodacom Super 12 matches for the Bulls in 1998.
In 1999 Steyn scored a massive 384 points for the Bulls or Blue Bulls. He currently holds the Pumas and Blue Bulls Absa Currie Cup season points records.
Coach Chris Grobler told keo.co.za: “I fear Casper may be out of rugby forever. Any injury of the neck is bad. He has a problem between his C5 and C6 vertebrae. It is a major blow to us as Casper brought his experience and kicking abilities. We will have to discuss his future soon and make a decision.”
By Andrew Hollely
16 Comments
31 Jul 2006, 10:17 am
At leat they found the injury before major complications.
All the best for your retirement!
31 Jul 2006, 10:18 am
One of the honest, hardworking rugby players in SA. Gave a good service to Blue Bulls as well! Worse players than him got awarded Springbok blazers!
31 Jul 2006, 10:21 am
Casper- die voormalige spook van loftus!
Miskien tyd om hatl te roep voor iets permanent ingee.
31 Jul 2006, 10:28 am
A true gentlemen and ambassador for the sport.
31 Jul 2006, 10:35 am
If he has a problem between the L5 and L6 vertebrae, he has a hell of a problem since the L5 and L6 are lumbar vertebrae at the base of the back. I guess what Grobler really means are the C5 and C6 vertebrae (cervical or neck vertebrae). Anyway, good luck to him.
31 Jul 2006, 10:40 am
All of the Best Casper. You did us proud over the years , good player for the teams you played
31 Jul 2006, 10:41 am
time to call it quits i think after a very good career. at his height an excellent player knocking on the door for bok selection, and lately one of the best at the pumas. a big blow for them in a season where things are allready not going their way.
31 Jul 2006, 10:45 am
Le fou, I see Andrew got it wrong again and has quickly changed it!! HE HE
31 Jul 2006, 10:56 am
Howzit Le Fou.
31 Jul 2006, 10:57 am
Andrew is vas aan die slaap.
31 Jul 2006, 11:09 am
Dawn, yawn.
31 Jul 2006, 11:12 am
Hey Dawn
31 Jul 2006, 13:00 pm
Maybe Keo can get on of his annonimous specialists to give a second oppinion
1 Aug 2006, 01:02 am
A good servant to rugby.
1 Aug 2006, 04:57 am
Bets of luck Casper, no more ghosting around for you then! Enjoy retirement…
1 Aug 2006, 12:34 pm
Sad news, great player, lets hope he goes into coaching.
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