The Junior Springboks have done it again, securing a heroic 16-5 victory over France in Tbilisi to retain their World Rugby U20 Championship title. Photo: Supplied
The Junior Springboks are not only world champions but lifesavers, too, after team doctor Clement Plaatjies mid-flight resuscitated a woman who had collapsed.
On Monday afternoon, SA Rugby alerted the media that the Junior Boks contingent bound for Cape Town from Johannesburg would be late for a scheduled press conference on landing because of an onboard medical emergency.
It later emerged that a passenger had gone into cardiac arrest. Dr Plaatjies went to her rescue and brought her back to life after vigorous cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The captain turned the aircraft around and returned to OR Tambo International Airport, where the woman received further medical attention.
The Junior Boks arrived three hours later in Cape Town, where SA Rugby’s high-performance manager, Dave Wessels, addressed the media. The Baby Boks beat France 16-5 in Tbilisi on Saturday to create history — they are the first South African team to win back-to-back Junior World Championship titles.
