The image shocked spectators at the Stadium this Friday evening. While Namibia suffered a heavy defeat (3-71) for its second group match against New Zealand, the future opponents of the France team also lost their center Le Roux Malan, seriously injured in the ankle. RIGHT. Shortly before the 20th minute of play, in the Toulouse rain, the Namibian full-back tried to block an opponent’s restart before slipping and seeing his right ankle twist 90 degrees.
Evacuated on a stretcher, Le Roux Malan, given a standing ovation by the spectators present at the stadium upon his exit, had few doubts about the diagnosis: he suffered from a fracture of his right ankle. “We are still waiting for a precise assessment but it could be an ankle fracture,” declared Allister Coetzee, the South African coach of Namibia, at a press conference. This is what we observed on the ground. You can’t anticipate this kind of injury. He had to leave the field earlier than expected. I don’t think it changed the outcome of the match. »
This Saturday, the diagnosis was confirmed. The Namibian suffers from a fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. He was operated on successfully, as confirmed by Allister Coetzee. “The sooner you operate, the faster your recovery will be. According to the doctor, the operation went very well,” he said.
The New Zealanders did not fail to react after the meeting. “Our thoughts are with the Namibian center Le Roux Malan. We wish him all the best in his recovery” they wrote on their X account (formerly Twitter). They also offered a signed jersey to Le Roux Malan, who will return to Namibia and be replaced by a fullback, who has not yet been named. “It’s not just about talking about the ethics, culture and values of rugby, but living them and feeling them. For me, it’s incredible for the All Blacks to do something like that,” greeted Allister Coetzee, very touched by the gesture of the New Zealanders.
