UPDATE: Tragic, bloody scene as ex-Springbok raced to save father

Last week it tragically came to light that former Springbok hooker Lukas van Biljon had been stabbed during a robbery at his family’s Free State farm. His father André was shot and wounded, and although he was rushed to hospital, he later passed away.

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In an article in Sunday newspaper Rapport, a harrowing account reveals how Van Biljon – despite enduring serious wounds of his own – picked up his father, carried him to his vehicle and raced 50km to a hospital in Heilbron in an attempt to save his life

“It is a miracle that he had the strength to try to save his father’s life and did not faint,” André’s brother, Martin van Biljon, shared. “The farm attackers repeatedly asked him where money was and then they stabbed him each time with a knife.

“He lost an awful lot of blood because of the stab wounds. His bakkie was also full of blood as he lost blood when he rushed to the hospital with Andre.”

It’s further stated that Van Biljon’s three school-age sons were sleeping in the living room at the time of the incident, with the attackers covering them with a blanket and telling them to be quiet.

Van Biljon was eventually tied up, with one of his sons later freeing him after the robbers had left, but by then André had already been fatally shot.

Last week, a family acquaintance was quoted by the UK’s Daily Mail, and revealed the devastation that was left behind.

“Lukas is broken and devastated and along with the Van Biljon family had been with Andre at his bedside since he was operated on. But they were serious injuries and his body gave out on him. They shot him from close range in cold blood. He was an old man and could not fight back.

“Lukas said he has been greatly comforted by the world of rugby coming together to support him and his family along with the local farming community.”

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Free State police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said two of the attackers were arrested at a roadblock in Viljoensdrift shortly after the incident.

The two arrested suspects are set to face charges of house robbery and attempted murder, while the other suspects are still at large.

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VAN BILJON WAS CAPPED 13 TIMES AT SPRINGBOK LEVEL

The former Sharks forward, who is now 47 years old, played 13 Tests for the Springboks between 2001 and 2003 – having earned national honours after overcoming a series of unfortunate injuries.

He also represented the Cats, Sharks and Stormers, 

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