Family Demands Answers
Reporter – George April
Hopefield:- The Esau family from Hopefield is devastated and angry after an incident that has changed the life of their 22-year-old son, Justin Esau, forever.
Justin underwent a nine-hour neck operation at Groote Schuur Hospital on Thursday, after a growth behind his neck reportedly returned following a previous operation. This was already his second major surgery since participating in a rugby match earlier this year. A match that, according to his parents, he was pressured to play in by the management of Universals Rugby Club in Hopefield, despite a pre-existing injury.
“My son’s entire future has been destroyed,” said a heartbroken Elzaan Esau, Justin’s mother, holding back tears. She explained that Justin had already suffered a neck and shoulder injury during a friendly rugby match. He was recovering at home and had made it clear that he did not want to play until he had fully healed. He also did not participate in any training sessions.
But, according to his mother, Justin was approached twice on the same day by the club’s chairman and coach.
“They came to our house that morning while I was there,” she explained. “Justin clearly told them that he was still injured and not fit to play. He even asked for my advice, and I told him straight – ‘You cannot play if you are not healthy. It is far too dangerous for a forward to play with an injury,’” she said.
The club officials left, but later that same day they allegedly approached Justin again on the street, this time telling him that he only needed to travel with the team to watch the game, not to play. Believing their story, Justin agreed to go along for support.
His parents were not home at the time to stop him.
But things quickly changed on match day. Justin was suddenly told he would need to play. His neck was strapped up by club officials, and despite him saying he still didn’t feel ready, he was convinced to take the field as a forward, playing the full 80 minutes, injured and unprepared.
“Nobody listened to him,” his mother explained with deep frustration. “Now he lies in hospital, and nobody from that club even bothers to check on him.
No support, no concern.
We have to pay out of pocket just to visit our own child in the hospital.”
The family shared that Justin only started playing rugby last year and even received a player award at the end of the season for his performance as a flank. Today, however, he lies in a hospital bed with an uncertain future.
To make matters worse, CCN has been informed that another player from Universals Rugby Club suffered a serious injury during a match and was similarly ignored by club management. That player personally told CCN that he received no visit, no support, and was simply pushed aside after his injury, raising growing concerns about how the club treats its players’ welfare.
Last month, CCN formally approached the Boland Rugby Union and SA Rugby for comment regarding Justin’s case. Neither organisation has responded to media inquiries to date.
When questioned by CCN, the chairman of Universals Rugby Club, Archie Kleinsmith, provided a version of events that clearly contradicts the emotional account shared by Justin’s family.
The Hopefield community is left holding its breath, waiting for answers, and justice, for Justin Esau and other players who feel abandoned in their time of need.
