All Blacks flanker Sam Cane recalls a heartwarming visit from Springboks players after a serious neck injury, as he approaches his 100th test match milestone against Australia.
BollywoodFever: All Blacks flanker Sam Cane is no stranger to fierce battles with the South African Springboks over his 12-year international career.
However, as Cane approaches his 100th test match, likely against Australia this Saturday, he fondly recalls an act of kindness from the Springboks that left a lasting impression on him.
After suffering a serious neck injury during a match in Pretoria in 2018, Cane underwent surgery.
The day after the operation, South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus, along with players Francois Louw and Jesse Kriel, visited him in the hospital.
The gesture touched Cane deeply, even though his post-surgery state left him with only fragmented memories of the visits.
It speaks volumes of all three of those men to take time out of their day to come to the hospital and find me,” Cane said. “It’s something I will never forget, and I’m hugely appreciative of it.”
Cane, 32, who was sent off during New Zealand’s loss to South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, has faced many challenges in his career but continues to push forward.
If selected for Saturday’s Rugby Championship test in Wellington, Cane would become the 13th All Black to reach the milestone of 100 test matches.
Though Cane is committed to ending his test career at the end of the season and returning to Japan to fulfill his contract with Sungoliath, he remains open to extending his international career if needed for New Zealand’s end-of-year tour.
“I don’t have any expectations,” Cane said. “Nothing’s ever given or promised, you’ve got to earn it. If I’m picked, and they see value in having me there, then I’d love to continue representing the All Blacks throughout the rest of the year.
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