One of the strangest stories in recent times has been that of Johan Goosen. Goosen, the Player of the Season in the Top 14 last season, suddenly retired at the age of 24 in December, his club Racing 92 saying that he was going home to South Africa to take up a role as a "commercial director".
The reaction of the club to Goosen's decision was summed up perfectly by Ronan O'Gara. The Racing coach looked utterly gobsmacked when discussing Goosen on the day of the announcement, saying he had only found out via Twitter.
Racing 92 released a statement earlier this month stating that they were going to issue legal proceedings against Goosen, who seemed to have fled from his residence. And O'Gara seemed to shed a bit more light on things when he revealed that Goosen used to seem convinced that "his life was to live on a farm".
Altogether, a mystifying set of circumstances surrounding the 24-year-old, who was capped by the Springboks 13 times. But now Goosen has resurfaced - and in circumstances he would not have wished.
South African news outlet Netwerk 24 (via Eyewitness News) are reporting that Goosen has accidentally shot a friend in the ankle with a hunting rifle at his farm near Bloemfontain.
Goosen is said to be "very traumatised about the incident", according to police, whose investigation is ongoing, though they say there are no indications of foul play.
(H/T: Derek McCarthy)
