Pretoria - “There’s no need to panic. Those guys did not know who they were fighting. By the grace of God, I survived.” These were the words of 1995 Rugby World Cup legend, Hannes Strydom, when he told the Pretoria News of his hijack ordeal on Tuesday night.
Strydom said he was driving from Waterkloof to Irene. As he approached a bend, he saw two people sitting on the side of the road.
“I swerved to the right… They threw a stone in my car. It hit me on the left side of my face,” he said from hospital, where he has been moved from the intensive care unit to a normal ward.
Strydom said he stopped his car and the attackers ripped his window out and stole his car keys. “I got out of the car and we started to fight, because I wanted my keys back.”
Strydom said the six men kicked and hit him but ran away when they realised he was too strong.
“Thank God I’m fit. I wouldn’t wish what happened to me on anyone,” he said. “I knew I had to fight them… Only through the grace of God, did I manage to fight back.”
Strydom then called for assistance. “I was bloodied standing next to the road. Thank God for passers-by who stood with me until help arrived.I sent someone home to get a spare key and then drove myself to hospital where I was admitted to ICU because my head was injured.”
He suffered a fractured skull and a stab wound to the back. He hopes to be discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
“The doctors did a CT scan and say there was no bleeding to the brain. I have a black eye, about 30 stitches on my face and my whole body is sore from fighting six people but I’m doing well. I thank God for the strength to survive this.”
One of the heroes of the 1995 national rugby team, Strydom was on his way home from a gym when he was attacked.
SA Rugby Union president Regan Hoskins said despite his windscreen being smashed, Strydom was able to drive himself to hospital where it was found he had a fractured skull from his eye socket to his jawbone.
“This is shocking news. I’m sure the whole of the rugby community join me in wishing Hannes a speedy recovery. It is testimony to the character of the man that he survived the assault by multiple attackers to get himself to safety,” Hoskins said.
Family spokesman Riaan van Zyl said the attackers threw stones and one hit Strydom on the head. He then fought the hijackers until they fled.
Spokeswoman for Little Company of Mary Hospital in Groenkloof, Chene Murphy, confirmed that Strydom, who now works as a pharmacist, was admitted. She said he was recovering well.
His former team, the Golden Lions Rugby Union, said on its website: “Our thoughts are with Hannes Strydom and his family. Strydom was admitted to ICU after suffering severe injuries during an attempted hijacking. We hope you are able to make a full recovery, Hannes! You are in our prayers.”
The 49-year-old played for the Springboks between 1993 and 1997 as a lock and played 21 Tests. He was part of the team that won the Rugby World Cup in 1995. In 2003, he was inducted in the University of Pretoria’s Sports Hall of Fame. He now runs a pharmacy in Sunnyside.
Once the public heard the news they took to Twitter to express their concerns and support for Strydom.
SA Rugby Legends: “Our thoughts and prayers are with one of our Rugby World Cup heroes from 1995 - Hannes Strydom.”
Thabi Seletisha: “Speedy recovery to the Beast, Hannes Strydom”
Pikkie Greef: “Speedy recovery to ex Bok & fellow @AHS1920 parent, Hannes Strydom, after being injured in Waterkloof hijacking.”
Blue Bulls: “Wishing #BokLegend Hannes Strydom a speedy recovery.”
Kevin Pietersen: “Thoughts with Hannes Strydom right now! Fight hard like you did in the tight 5, boet!”
Pabi Moloi: “So former Springboks are also superheroes. Woah!”
Kobus Wiese: “Savage, cowardly attack on Hannes Strydom by 6 men, when will government realise it has to act and act strongly against criminals!”
Police were aware of the incident, but said no formal docket had yet been opened.
Pretoria News