Tragedy struck the first round of the World Under-19 Rugby Union Championship in Durban on Saturday when Ireland forward John McCall died in hospital after being injured against New Zealand, officials said.
International Rugby Board officials refused to give the cause of death. The South African Rugby Football Union said the flanker had suffered ”sudden death syndrome”, an umbrella term used for the many different causes of cardiac arrest in young people.
Another source said McCall died from a broken neck.
The player received lengthy treatment at the Absa Stadium medical centre after being injured during a match won 30-6 by New Zealand before being taken to a hospital in the Indian Ocean city. — Sapa-AFP