Southern Kings Prop Pumlani Nodikida’s picks up career threatening back injury - Rugby news
South African Rugby Union's (SARU) Southern Kings, who recently represented South Africa and SARU in the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) 2011 Nations Cup in Romania, has confirmed the completion
of surgery on their prop Pumlani Nodikida’s backbone. Nodikida has suffered from a career ending injury last week.
The 32-year-old Pumlani Nodikida injured his backbone during the SA Kings' last match of the IRB 2011 Nations Cup against Portugal at Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest, which Kings
won 39 – 12.
Pumlani Nodikida took the field as a replacement for Jaco Engels in the ninth minute of the second-half. The incident occurred in the 30th minute of the half when Pumlani Nodikida
injured his backbone in the scrum.
Later, the initial tests revealed that Pumlani Nodikida's "C6 vertebrae slipped onto the C7 resulting in pressure being put on the spinal cord.”
Peddie born Nodikida went through a operation on Monday, June 20 in Romania. According to the report, the operation was successful. The statement released by the officials confirmed that Nodikida
has regained some sensation and movement of his lower limbs.
Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU), IRB and SARU together are working to facilitate the treatment of the injured prop. Kings' team manager, Arthur Dayimani, is currently in Romania and performing
the coordination between the concerned parties regarding the treatment of the injury to Nodikida.
The news has spoiled the Kings’ exceptional performance in the IRB 2011 Nations Cup. Kings finished on top of the table with 13 points coming from three games in the competition.
Kings played their first match of the 2011 Nations Cup against Georgia on June 10 at Bucharest which they won 31 – 17. Kings later defeated host Romania 27 – 23 and Portugal 39 – 12 to secure
the title.
In addition to Nodikida’s injury, Kings tight head prop, Andre Schechter, also suffered from a irregular heartbeat in the game. He substituted Clint Newland in the 17th minute of
the second-half and played only for 11 minutes before heart palpitations.
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