The Irish under-19 rugby team were preparing to return home following the tragic death of player John McCall during the first round of matches at the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-19 World Championship in Durban on Saturday.
The Irish management and team took the decision not to compete further in the championship on Monday morning as Ian McCall, the father of the deceased player, arrived in South Africa.
McCall was informed in Dublin on Sunday night that his 18-year-old son had mysteriously collapsed and died without having made any physical contact with a New Zealand player during their opening match in the tournament in Durban.
An IRB statement on Monday said that it and the South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) fully supported the decision and would assist the Irish management and team ”in any way” during the coming days.
The Minister of Sport and Recreation, Ngconde Balfour, has meanwhile conveyed his condolences and that of government to the McCall family.
Balfour expressed shock at this tragic event and offered his full support to the family ”during this trying time”.
”It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of young John McCall. The sympathies and prayers of all South Africans are with the McCall family, the Irish team, Sarfu and the IRB,” said Balfour.
The Minister also gave his assurance that every possible assistance would be given to the family and rugby authorities ”as they come to terms with their sad loss”.
A post mortem was expected to be conducted on Monday to determine the cause of the young player’s death.
Medical officials were of the opinion that McCall died of sudden death syndrome — a term generally used for several causes of cardiac arrest in young people.
According to Doctor Charl van Loggerenberg, the medical expert for Radio 702, McCall’s death could be attributed to many different things.
”Normally this kind of tragedy may have nothing to do with a player’s fitness,” he said. ”It could be as a result of a virus, or physical exertion during a time when he might have had flu. But only an autopsy can give those answers.” — Sapa