Springbok World Cup winner critical after being shot in armed robbery

South Africa has been rocked by the news that one of their 1995 World Cup winning squad has been shot in an apparent armed robbery and is in critical condition.

Naka Drotske, who played in one game during South Africa’s 1995 campaign and played 26 Tests in total, was with another  former Springbok, Os du Randt, when they were reportedly attacked by four men. Du Randt was not injured.

On Twitter the Springboks said “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.”

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

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 30, 2018

An SA Rugby spokesperson De Jongh Borchardt gave his reaction “When something like this happens to any South African it is sad and we wish Naka a speedy recovery and our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

The 47-year-old Drotske is a former London Irish player, playing for the club between 2001 and 2003.

He also coached the Free State Cheetahs between 2007 and 2015.

The Cheetahs tweeting: “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.”

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

Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster spoke about the incident to Sport24 and said that Drotske attempted to shield a group – including women and children – from the attackers when he was shot.

“From what we hear it is stable and they think it is okay,” he said.

“I had a chat with Os this morning. He is okay. He said it was like a war zone with shots going off everywhere … he said it was chaos.

“We’re just totally shocked and we hope that Naka will recover and that Os is okay … they are friends and legends of the region”.

A source told News24 that he had lost “almost a third of his blood” before reaching the hospital.

Police confirmed that Drotske is in a critical condition in Netcare Montana Hospital as a result of the attack.

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