Roodepoort Rugby legend is recovering well following life-changing crash
Thirty-five-year-old Pierre ‘Bakkies’ Venter sustained major life-changing injuries that would have an impact on his rugby career.
Pierre ‘Bakkies’ Venter is on the mend following a traumatic crash that left the rugby lock in hospital with multiple broken bones.
However, he gave Roodepoort Record exclusive details on his recovery and future since he would not be able to play his beloved sport anymore.
‘Bakkies’ as he’s more commonly known, said that a distracted motorist was on his cellphone when he drove into his Harley Davidson. Bakkies was left with a broken collarbone, neck, back, three broken ribs, and a dislocated shoulder.
• Read the initial article here: Roodepoort Rugby Club lock survives accident, but receives career-ending news
This career-ending news devastated members of the community who have been supporting the 35-year-old rugby legend for almost all his career and have poured in messages to let him know that they are thinking of him and wish him a speedy recovery.
“My phone went crazy – it wouldn’t stop ringing. I received over 2 000 calls and messages during my stay in the hospital in Pretoria. I also had a lot of conversations with God then,” he said.
While he was discharged on December 3, he managed to take his first steps in the healing process and said that he started walking again the previous day with the help of his physiotherapist, however he also mentioned that he still felt dizzy from having to lay down for almost a week and that he has found the confidence to walk further.
Throughout this ordeal, Bakkies still managed to maintain his sense of humour and expressed that ‘hospital food was horrible’, but the service was impeccable and while it could’ve been far worse, he managed to escape the cold hand of death.
“I could have been disabled or could have lost my life, but I thank God and I can testify that His hand is still on my life,” he said.
When asked what his plans are for the future since he is unable to play rugby anymore, he cited that rugby will always be in his blood, but he was looking for a sign to further his responsibilities as a family man, he said that he would now transfer his knowledge of the game to his children who keep him busy currently with indoor sport – of which he tries to help them where he can.
“Sport will always be in my blood, but I am blessed to have contributed whatever I could to Roodepoort Rugby Club – rugby as a whole, but for now I will use my knowledge and skills to cultivate future generations. I can’t afford another injury and risk being maimed or worse,” he said.
