A video shared online by ex-Saracens flanker Jacques Burger of a brutal tackle from a schoolboy rugby match in South Africa has ignited a heated social media debate around concussion and player welfare.
The video of the ruthless hit from a Monument Boys versus Paarl Boys game has been viewed more than 65,000 times, after Burger re-tweeted it from his account.
While some were in awe of the tackle, others waded into the Namibian international back-rower after it was revealed that the hit had left the player unconscious and suffering head trauma.
The video comes at the end of a week where World Rugby announced it is to explore potential law changes to improve player safety and reduce the risk of injuries.
"As much as I like a good hard tackle, that was not pleasant at all… hope the lad is okay," one user commented.
"All that is wrong with rugby today, a sickening hit – promoted as "boom"," wrote another.
Burger, who played for Namibia at the last Rugby World Cup, has since responded to the backlash online saying, "We should give our youngsters all the tools to be safe in rugby but we should never teach our kids to do things halfheartedly".
English rugby writer Sam Peters was among those questioning Burger for posting the video on social media.
He tweeted: "Huge question for rugby and (Burger), do we celebrate seeing a child smashed head first into rock hard ground or search for ways to avoid? For what it's worth, watching this makes me physically sick."
And 38-times capped Burger responded further to the furore by saying:"Tell your kids there is a good chance of injuries if they play rugby. That’s the reality.
"Work on better/safer techniques so they can be smarter, well prepared rugby players. Also don’t forget to tell them to do their best and enjoy."
