Spies may never play again

The possiblity has emerged that Pierre Spies may never be able to play rugby again.

Spokesman for the Springbok team, Vusi Kama, said the 22-year old Spies had felt short of breath and had coughed up blood during a practice session. A medical examination revealed clots on his lungs, leading to a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

The concern is that he has inherited the condition that lead to his father, Pierre snr’s premature death in 2004. His grandfather also suffered from the condition, and so does his aunt. Spies was ruled out of all contact sport for at least eight months, meaning he will miss out on playing at the World Cup.

If he is diagnosed with the hereditary condition, he may be required to take blood-thinning medicine for the rest of his life, ruling him out of contact sport altogether.

Springbok team manager Zola Yeye reported that the team was shattered by the news.”These players are so close no one wants to leave. And Pierre is such a modest and wonderful person. He did not know what to say. He had been overcome by something that he had no control over.

“He is an outstanding sportsman and would have been of great value in our campaign to win the World Cup.”

Spies was disappointed to be missing out, but grateful that the problem had been diagnosed early. “It could have been worse had I continued playing,” he said.

His uncle, Dawie Spies, said the family had started a prayer chain in support of Pierre.

“The next seven days, until the next diagnosis, will be crucial. We trust the Lord will heal him. To Pierre, being a Christian is a way of life and these events are a spiritual challenge.”

Prof Chris Bolliger of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch said the incidence of pulmonary embolism in a young fit athlete is very unusual.

Bolliger said the occurrence of the condition can be linked to any of the following factors:

– Genetically inherited: Factor V Leiden, the most frequent hereditary blood coagulation disorder, increases the risk of venous thrombosis.

– Trauma to the leg: Bleeding in the muscle, caused by a possible trauma to the leg, could lead to DVT, which can cause pulmonary emboli.

– Economy syndrome: Sitting during long flights has proved to cause DVT.

– Anabolic steroids: According to Bolliger, body builders and weightlifters have acquired pulmonary emboli due to the use of anabolic steroids.

– Smoking: Especially when combined with genetic proneness to pulmonary emboli.

– Unhealthy lifestyle: An obese and/or unfit individual would be more prone to this condition than a fit athlete.

More tests are currently being conducted on the young Springbok star.

Bok coach Jake White sees the loss of Spies as a huge setback.

“Of course it is a setback. Pierre is one of those unique players who can turn a game on its head with a spectacular try from 60m out. He is the kind of player that is priceless at a World Cup. That great try he scored against England earlier this year sums up what he could have done for us in France,” said the Bok coach.

“Basically his blood is thick, the doctor told me. If it clots and goes into his brain while he is training he will have a stroke. If the clot goes into his heart he will have a heart attack. He is now on medication to thin his blood over a period of six months and his blood will be closely monitored.

“He can run and train in the gym but he cannot take contact, because if he gets bruised his blood will clot. So while he looks like a race horse, he cannot play contact sport.

The Bok players were informed at their team dinner on Tuesday night.

“The players were shocked and quite down about it, especially the guys he has been playing with this year,” said White.

“There was a message in this, though, to the players in that we are all lucky to be fit and part of a World Cup, but that it is a fragile assurance, and you could wake up in the morning and it is gone.

“We said an emotional farewell to Pierre and in the morning he left. We want him to come to our farewell banquet. I don’t want any player to think he is forgotten when he gets injured.”