Regular readers of the site will recall the story we did back in April last year about the horrific injury sustained by Sharks under 19 winger Emil Schwarz.
Schwarz suffered a compound fracture and dislocation to his left knee during an under 20 club game, with both arterial and nerve damage sustained in the process. Doctors were forced to perform emergency surgery in the early hours of the morning and after a six-hour operation, Emil returned to the intensive care unit with no guarantees that he would ever regain full use of his leg, far less run, or play rugby again.
Miracles do happen, though and we’re pleased to report that after 18 months of painful rehabilitation, Emil has indeed made a remarkable recovery and hopes to make a return to the rugby field during the 2013 season. “My knee is coming on very well and I’ve started training hard now,” he tells us. “I’m running and everything, so next year I’ll be fit and able to play again.”
In his prime, Emil was a 100kg winger with searing pace and the question on everybody’s lips, of course, will be whether the injury has taken it’s toll on his ability to reach the same sort of speeds. He’s picked up around 7kgs during rehab, as one does, but hopes to get back down to his former weight and will hope to force his way into contention for a berth in the Sharks under 21 side next year, either at wing, fullback, or maybe even centre if his speed isn’t quite what it was before.
For now, though, he’s just brimming with enthusiasm at the opportunity to resurrect his career after so many feared it was over before it had began. “It’s just such exciting news,” he confirms, adding ” I know I’m very blessed and I must say God has been walking with me throughout this experience”.
Good luck, Emil. It will be great to have you back.
Tweet
Cant ever recall having seen him play. He sounds like a good positive kid and if he does recover to play top notch rugby it will almost be miracle. Heres hoping he does it.
Great article Rob, nothing like desire and hard work in achieving a dream. All the best for the future Emil Schwarz.
Really great news. I hope his dreams come true. 😎
All the best Emil. A tough journey to walk.
This is great news!! Would be great to have him back! I know this is a bit off topic, but what happened to Mandla Dube?
@Argex (Comment 5) : Kings, I think? playing u21 there?
He was very good as a schoolboy, was part of the SA u18 HP Squad in 2009 as an u17, injured in the 1st match of the 2010 Craven Week, he was unable to play SA u18 in 2010
@Ludz (Comment 7) : he seemed to be in Dawie’s plans before he got injured (probably because of size….)
Do you reckon he would’ve been a Baby Bok?
@Ludz (Comment 7) : where was he schooled?
@Argex (Comment 9) : ‘ilton
@robdylan (Comment 8) : oh definitely this year, I reckon he would’ve been 1 of the wings