SA Rugby expresses condolences after French rugby star goes missing at sea
SA Rugby released a statement following the incident where France U18 player Medhi Narjissi was swept out to sea at Cape Point on Wednesday.
In a tragic turn of events reported on Wednesday, it was confirmed that Medhi Narjissi was pulled out to sea by strong rip currents at Diaz Beach near the Cape of Good Hope during a water recovery session.
The 17-year-old Narjissi, who is the son of renowned French hooker Djalil Narjissi, is a member of France’s squad for the upcoming U18 International Series in Cape Town, where they will face hosts South Africa as well as England and Georgia.
Medhi Narjissi was on an outing with the squad when incident occurred.
Emergency services were mobilised to conduct a search and rescue operation without success throughout Wednesday afternoon and evening.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and the French rugby community for the tragic loss of Medhi,” said Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union.
“We cannot begin to comprehend the sorrow the family must be feeling at this moment. Please know that the entire rugby fraternity stands with you in mourning the loss of Medhi. This devastating news has been felt deeply across the rugby community here in South Africa and around the world.”
Alexander said that SA Rugby had offered every support it could to the French team and Mehdi’s family, who are en route to South Africa.
The French Rugby Federation announced on Wednesday that Mehdi was swept away by a wave as he and his team-mates were swimming at the Cape of Good Hope at around 16h00.
FFR CONFIRMED TRAGIC INCIDENT
“The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has learned with great emotion that Medhi Narcissi, Stade Toulouse player, who travelled to South Africa to compete in the International Series with the French men’s under-18 team, has disappeared,” a statement read.
“This Wednesday, around 4 p.m., he was swept away by a wave, while he and his teammates were swimming in the sea, at the Cape of Good Hope.
“Rescue services (boats and helicopters) are currently being mobilised to find Medhi.”
“Pending ongoing research, the French Rugby Federation has approached Medhi’s family and is supporting the U18 team and its supervisors on site, where a psychological unit has been set up,” the statement added.
NSRI STATEMENT ON INCIDENT AND RESCUE MISSION:
NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said their extensive search has not delivered any results yet, but the search remains ongoing.
“Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager,” Lambinon explained.
“Thoughts, care and compassion are with the family, friends and the rugby team of the missing teenager in this difficult time,” he said.
The U18 International Series will take place at Stellenberg High School, Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys High School in the Western Cape and will be contested by hosts South Africa, France, England and Georgia.
The impact on the scheduling of the tournament – which kicks off at Stellenberg High School in Cape Town on Monday – has not been determined.