Good news: Paarl Boys’ star hoping to leave hospital ‘soon’

Last month it came to light that Paarl Boys’ High rugby player, Chris Jordaan, had been rushed into ICU in order to undergo emergency brain surgery due to a head injury he sustained against Affies at the North-South rugby festival.

Jordaan was rushed to Muelmed Hospital after the loose forward went down under a “normal tackle” but suffered whiplash when his head hit the ground in the Cape side’s win against Affies.

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Following surgery, Jordaan was said to to be in a stable condition following a four-and-a-half-hour procedure to stem bleeding to the brain, but remained under sedation.

On Thursday morning, his school posted a hugely encouraging update and picture on its Facebook page, stating: “It’s nice to see how Chris is getting better and stronger by the day. His mother, Dane, said he aims to come home at the end of May. Chris’ brother visited him in the hospital and it did his heart very good. Thank you for everyone’s prayers. See you one of these days, Chris!”

Towards the end of April, The South African website exclusively learned that the youngster had been transferred out of ICU in a hugely positive step.

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THERE HAS BEEN AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR THE PAARL BOYS’ STAR AFTER THE INCIDENT

When Paarl Boys’ High returned to action soon after the accident, head coach Sean Erasmus, was understandably emotional when reflecting on the “unbelievable” camaraderie shown by the broader rugby community following the young player’s life-threatening head injury.

“The messages have kept flooding in. It’s just so humbling,” he stated.

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Springbok Evan Roos’ message of support for Chris Jordaan (17), who is in ICU after suffering a serious head injury during a schools match between ⁦@Paarl_Boishaai⁩ and @AHS1920 on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/EQQv1hLV2l

— Mariette Adams (@MarietteAdams_) April 6, 2023

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A couple of weeks ago, the talented teenager’s father Chris Jordaan Snr also told Media24 that the family had been overwhelmed by the support and prayers that had poured in from far and wide.

“The support we have received is just amazing. There’s no other way to describe it,” he said earlier this month. “I’ve never experienced anything like this or seen anything like this.

“People came out of the blue to give support, help and prayers. It’s crazy and I’ve got no words for it. All the schools in the Cape, the ones up here, the principals have called and expressed their support. Stuff that the whole town is doing in Paarl … the support has also come from all over South Africa.”

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