Lambie’s retirement is food for thought

It is a sad day when any professional sportsperson is forced to retire through injury – but the announcement by former Springbok Patrick Lambie that he will be quitting the game at the comparatively early age of 28 is particularly poignant.

Lambie’s boyish good looks and seeming innocence, as well as his talent on the rugby field, brought him legions of fans.

Having played 56 times for the Springboks, Lambie had been battling to get back into the game following three concussions, two of which he described as “serious”.

He played a bit last year but found the concussion effects – including “trembling legs,” headaches, migraines and eye irritations – refused to go away.

He was unable to do any weight sessions in the past two months because he had a “terrible headache”.

He took the advice of two neurologists, who said he should give up rugby.

Lambie’s retirement is also food for thought about the punishment rugby players are subjected to, especially in the professional era, where players are much stronger and faster than they were 30 years ago.

Concussions need to be carefully monitored – and international rugby is already doing this – because they can be the ticking time bomb that destroys a life.

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