Rugby’s heroes in pictures – when a lust for life prevails

Since 1980, the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund has been Rugby’s Caring Hands in South Africa. When a rugby injury changes a life, the fund steps in to offer help and hope by ensuring injured players retain their dignity and lead an independent life as far as possible.

Project Hero, sponsored by Canon, is a visual documentary of five rugby players in South Africa whose lives were changed by serious injuries on the field while playing at different levels of the game.

Their stories of determination, hope, dignity and the strength of the human spirit illustrate the heroic qualities in all of the 108 recipients of the Players’ Fund.

These stories inspire and showcase the impact that the Players’ Fund has had on their lives. All the photographs are by Nardus Engelbrecht.

• If you’d like to show your support please e-mail the office on contact@playersfund.org.za or visit www.playersfund.org.za.

Amos Mzimeli

On May 20, 1990, 18-year-old Amos Mzimeli walked 5km on the winding rural road from his home village of Soto with his rugby team to the local Mooiplaas rugby field. The turf was, and still is, horribly uneven, yet this highly anticipated inter-village game drew a large crowd. Amos was playing flank for the Moonlight Rugby Club, which was a position he had held for three years.

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

When a ferocious tackle resulted in Amos’ neck being fractured and with very little medical support around the field, his story would be told from a motorised wheelchair. Mzimeli has managed to build a happy home filled with children’s laughter, constantly learning and through sheer commitment, built a disability centre for his community.

Henry Afrikaner

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

Playing for his beloved Klipheuwel Rugby Club just outside Stellenbosch, was an essential part of the young 28-year old Henry Afrikaner’s life. The 10th of June 2007 was no exception, after all it was ‘match day’ for him and his supportive community. Tragically, a collapsed scrum resulted in spinal cord damage and he was declared a quadriplegic.

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

Four years later after being voluntarily confined to his bed, suffering from depression, Henry chose to take command of his life again and for a second time since his injury, his life took a turn…this time a positive one! Mouth-painting, blow darts, wheelchair rugby and finding the love of his life have all been highlights for Henry since changing his outlook.

Koben Hofmeyr

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

Fifteen-year-old Koben Hofmeyr from Louis Trichardt in Limpopo ran onto the field for his school’s U16 side on 19 May 2018 in Bela Bela. On that day a tackle resulted in his head being trapped between the opposition players’ legs and a spinal cord injury immediately changed the direction his life would take.

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

Koben has returned to Hoërskool Louis Trichardt and is working extremely hard to regain as much functional mobility as possible. His close-knit community, the Players’ Fund and his family have never left his side and continue to encourage him on his journey.

Charles Oppelt

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

At 17, Charles Oppelt was bursting with energy and enthusiasm. He was a talented school rugby player who played for his local rugby club in Mamre on most weekends. In a match in 2002, he literally broke his neck during a game, with spinal cord damage leaving him paralysed, but thankfully able to self-propel using a manual wheelchair.

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

For many years following his injury, he admits to having lacked direction, being surrounded by the wrong people and unable to take responsibility for his future as a person living with a disability. But today Charles is known for his wholehearted cheeky laugh, and positive independent outlook on life. His fiancé Carmenda is very much part of this story and looks forward to being Mrs Oppelt.

Captain Quenton Steele

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

Imagine being confined to a chair and all you can move is your head. At night you breathe while sleeping with the aid of a ventilator attached through a hole in your throat. You are completely dependent on others. For Captain Quenton Steele this became a reality after he ran on to the field for False Bay Rugby Club in Cape Town on 17 March 1998.

Picture: Nardus Engelbrecht

Captain Steele was 30 years old at the time, excited to head home to his wife and 13-month old son. Twenty years later, Captain Quenton Steele is a hero in the eyes of all that meet him and he embodies the strength of the human spirit.

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