Western Cape police have completed their investigation into the death of a rugby player in a match last week and are waiting for a decision from the public prosecutor, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Twenty-four-year old Riaan Loots, a flyhalf for Rawsonville Rugby Club, died during a match with the Delicious Rugby Club last Friday.
He was declared brain dead after allegedly being kicked and punched by an opponent.
Captain Randall Stoffels told the South African Press Association that the investigation had changed to murder from one of assault with intent to do grievous
bodily harm.
”The investigation is 100% complete and we have forwarded the docket to the senior state prosecutor,” he said.
The prosecutor would then make a decision on how to proceed with the case. No arrests have been made.
Meanwhile, a fund which provides for injured rugby players called for a ”high level” meeting on rugby safety.
”We are and have been concerned with the recent spate of catastrophic injuries at school and club levels,” said former rugby star Morne du Plessis, who is chairperson of the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players’ Fund.
”Together with the Quadriplegic Association of SA (Qasa) and the SA Rugby Union, the fund has called for a high level indaba to discuss and plan intervention around this issue,” Du Plessis said in a media statement.
An initial meeting between the fund, the Qasa and South African Rugby has taken place and the indaba is expected to follow ”in due course”.
In the meantime the fund would continue with assisting disabled rugby players, which it has done for 26 years. It would also continue using some of its resources to promote safer rugby.
The Boland Rugby Union has launched an urgent investigation into Loots’ death and has also expressed concern about a tendency to resort to violence to resolve disagreements, and racism.
Delicious’ participation in the Boland Rugby Programme has been suspended pending the investigation and a disciplinary hearing. – Sapa