During South Africa's 26-10 defeat of the All Blacks on Saturday, Sprinbok scrumhalf, Faf de Klerk, was forced off with a scary looking head injury after just 35 seconds of play.
Known for his aggressive style of play, the 5 foot 7 De Klerk got his head on the wrong side of a tackle with All Black winger Caleb Clarke, and was knocked out cold, laying unmoving, on the turf inside the Mbombela Stadium.
Medics rushed onto the field immediately, while All Black scrumhalf Aaron Smith showed remarkable intuition as he pointed to the referee, Angus Gardner, to stop the game.
The ball had been at Smith's at the next ruck, with play still continuing, but the scrummie realised that De Klerk's situation was the top priority at that moment.
Smith was praised for his quick actions and he took to Twitter himself to write the message, 'Player safety is always no 1. We play the game hard but not to see people get hurt.'
Class From The All Blacks No.9
Player safety is always no 1. We play the game hard but not to see people get hurt. 🖤 https://t.co/ZRLRQ8rKXO
— Aaron Smith (@Te_Nug) August 9, 2022
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Despite the seriousness of the injury, and having to be stretchered off with a neck brace, De Klerk was up and walking after the incident, but is unavailable for this weekend's rematch.
It was not the only serious incident of the Test match either, with Springbok winger, Kurt-Lee Arendse, sent off late in the game for recklessly taking out Beauden Barrett in the air.
Thankfully the All Black outhalf was uninjured, while Arendse has received a four week ban for the dangerous play.
The Springboks and All Blacks will face-off again this Saturday in the Rugby Championship, at Ellis Park, with kick-off at 16:05.
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