Rescue services ‘mobilised’ as France rugby player is ‘swept away by a wave’ in South Africa
Search and rescue are currently searching for the player.
The French Rugby Federation (FRR) has confirmed that a France U18 player Medhi Narjissi is missing after a team bonding session in Cape Town.
A search is currently underway for Narjissi who was swept away by a wave while swimming in the sea near the Cape of Good Hope.
Rescue services mobilised
The FFR confirmed on Wednesday that local rescue services have been mobilised to find the 17-year-old Toulouse player.
“The FFR has learned with great emotion that Medhi Narjissi, Stade Toulouse player, who travelled to South Africa to compete in the International Series with the French men’s under-18 team, has disappeared,” a statement read.
“This Wednesday, around 4 p.m., he was swept away by a wave, while he and his teammates were swimming in the sea, at the Cape of Good Hope.
“Rescue services (boats and helicopters) are currently being mobilised to find Medhi.”
Son of ex-Agen hooker
Narjissi is the son of legendary Agen hooker Djalil Narjissi who represented the club for 12 years.
Due to the tragic events, the FFR says that supervisors are on site to assist the players psychologically.
“Pending ongoing research, the French Rugby Federation has approached Medhi’s family and is supporting the U18 team and its supervisors on site, where a psychological unit has been set up,” the statement added.
The federation was unable to provide any further details on the situation.
The France U18s are currently in Cape Town for the U18 International Series where they will face South Africa, England and Georgia, with the action taking place at Stellenberg High School, Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys High School in the Western Cape.
Tournament organisers and SA Rugby have not yet commented on what has occurred.
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