'Probe fatal mistake'

He was made to play hooker as punishment, claims spokesperson.

- Masoka Dube

The family of a 20-year-old North-West University (NWU) student who died after breaking his neck during a rugby match is accusing the coaching staff of being responsible for the death.

This is because the player was reportedly forced to play in a scrum position without proper training.

Vilano Saunders, a second-year student at the NWU Vanderbijlpark campus, broke his neck in a match at the campus sports field.

He was admitted to the Midvaal Private Hospital and on Monday died as a result of the injury.

Family spokesperson Hennie Venter said: "It was the first time he played as a hooker at the very first scrum in the game. I thought he was playing flank.

"He was put into the hooker position, which is a perilous, specialised and dangerous position in the rugby game. He had no experience at all."

Venter added: "He did not even practice being a hooker.

"The matter needs to be investigated because the decision was wrong."

Venter said although Saunders had some experience as a prop, he had never played the position of hooker.