Rouvaun Smit

Rouvaun Smit has left the Vincent Pallotti hospital to continue the next chapter of his recovery at home following major spinal surgery. Image: Sporting Post

Rouvaun Smit faces 12-week rehabilitation programme: I’m in good hands

It has been a fortnight since Rouvaun Smit underwent emergency lifesaving surgery at Kingsbury Hospital after a fall at his home.

Rouvaun Smit

Rouvaun Smit has left the Vincent Pallotti hospital to continue the next chapter of his recovery at home following major spinal surgery. Image: Sporting Post

It has been a fortnight since Rouvaun Smit underwent emergency lifesaving surgery at Kingsbury Hospital in Cape Town after a fall at his home.

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In a catch-up with the Sporting Post on Thursday, the 53-year-old race caller said that the complex spinal surgery appears to have been a success and that he was looking forward to moving to a step-down facility in the next few days to commence a 12 week rehabilitation programme which is aimed at getting him mobile and able to perform daily life processes again.

‘Haven’t had a smoke in two weeks!’ – Rouvaun Smit

Smit hopes to complete his rehabilitation at his home after a few weeks, but it’s all dependent on his progress.

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“There is no rushing this process and it’s really no fun lying on a bed all day. But I’m in good hands and have every faith that I will be able to regain a semblance of normality in my life again. If anything, there is good to have come out of this. I haven’t had a smoke for two weeks – and bar the odd weak moment, I am not missing it!” laughed the man who has called races from Hollywoodbets Kenilworth to Epsom Racecourse in Britain.

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The born-and-bred Capetonian was the first international race caller invited to Dubai, the year of Meydan’s opening, and he was on the eve of departing for the UAE when the unfortunate mishap occurred.

“Technology is wonderful and I will be at Meydan in spirit and via my mobile device for the Dubai World Cup race meeting on Saturday,” he added, saying that the support from family, friends and industry stakeholders had been ‘overwhelming’.

“We go about our daily life taking many things for granted. That’s human nature, probably. But I cannot thank my family, friends and industry stakeholders enough for the outpouring of love and interest. It has kept me going and I would like to use this opportunity to thank everybody.”

The South African website sends its well wishes to Rouvaun Smit.