The number of injuries in the older age groups of schoolboy rugby is on the increase and is a major cause for concern, says former Springbok captain Morne du Plessis.
Addressing the 29th Discovery SharkSmart Coaching Conference last week — a joint initiative between the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union (KZNRU) and Discovery — Du Plessis explained that the age group most at risk is boys 19 years and younger, with 70% of those injured being in the 17- to 19-year-old bracket.
But Du Plessis added that great strides are being made to make the game safer for players at the age of 13 and younger.
”In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of catastrophic injuries sustained by rugby players. Most of these injuries, which are predominant amongst the 16- to 19-year-old group, occur between March and April with an increase during July and August,” Du Plessis told a group of 300 rugby coaches gathered in Durban for the biggest coaching conference of its kind in South Africa.
”The relative incidence of injury in rugby is low, but one catastrophic injury is one too many,” he explained.
The chairperson of the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players’ Fund also pointed out that there has been a shift in where the injuries are occurring in the game, compared with previous years.
”It is now in the tackle area, not the scrum, where we are finding the most injuries occurring. The new scrum laws are making a huge improvement,” he said.
Du Plessis put the responsibility on the coaches, whom he said are the greatest influence on a young player, to provide their players with a balanced approach to the sport rather than instilling a win-at-all-costs attitude.
”The climate of enjoyment is essential,” he said. ”Let’s return the spirit of the game to schoolboy and club rugby.”
In his presentation, Du Plessis praised the KZNRU for being the leaders in introducing a proactive injury programme through its SharkSmart Programme, which is sponsored by Discovery, who also echoed the need to make the game safer.
”Sport is a powerful tool, not only in promoting a healthy, active lifestyle, but also in the lessons it teaches about community, team work and the value of healthy competition. Coaches play a crucial role in helping young players learn these lessons,” said Hylton Kallner, Discovery’s head of marketing and distribution.
”Injury prevention is essential to ensure that young rugby players reap the many benefits that rugby can offer them.”
Du Plessis also explained that the South African Rugby Union has undertaken to put in place a programme that will identify the regions where the most injuries are occurring and then introduce an injury prevention programme.
This will include the introduction of all-encompassing injury reporting structures; enforced legislation of safety and injury prevention measures at all levels; a unified, positive prevention programme focusing on prevention campaigns and injury management; highlighting risk areas to coaches, referees, teachers, trainers and parents; and a positive marketing and communications programme.
The conference also saw the official launch of the KZNRU Discovery SharkSmart Safety DVD, which is aimed specifically at reducing spinal injuries through the use of correct coaching and playing techniques. — Sapa