Rugby World Cup star left with leg ‘facing the wrong way’ in horror injury

Namibian centre Le Roux Malan suffered a sickening leg injury during his nation's Rugby World Cup clash against New Zealand on Friday.

Malan, 24, slipped whilst attempting to tackle All Blacks' Beauden Barrett high up the pitch, but after landing awkwardly his leg was left in a sickening position. It saw him frantically wave at the bench for attention as the play briefly continued on around him.

ITV didn’t show replays of the gruesome injury but Malan could be seen holding his leg as players and officials soon realised the gravity of his injury and the play was stopped so he could receive urgent treatment. Luckily the respective benches were close by and physios and doctors were soon on the pitch.

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Fans were quick to react to the horror injury and reaction from his team-mates and opposition. One fan wrote on Twitter: “Oh my god that’s a shocker of an injury. Ankle looks like it’s pointed the wrong way.” A second said: “Horrible injury for Le Roux Malan. Wishing you a speedy recovery!” With a third commenting: “Goodness me, I've not seen many reactions to an injury like that.”

Players from both sides were left visibly distressed as some put their hands on their heads in horror before Malan underwent seven minutes of treatment on the pitch. Malan was stretchered off and driven from the pitch to emotional applause from every stand as the stricken ace received oxygen.

New Zealand were leading 12-3 at the time of Malan’s injury and continued their dominance, leading 38-3 at half-time and running out the rout as 71-3 winners. Malan was replaced by JC Greyling but the substitute was unable to stem the All Blacks dominance.

The All Blacks’ official Twitter account posted a message to Malan, reading: “Our thoughts are with Namibian centre Le Roux Malan. Wishing him all the best with his recovery." While Malan’s club New England Free Jacks posted a statement supporting him on Twitter, saying: “Our thoughts and hearts are with our own Le Roux Malan who suffered a lower body injury while representing Namibia today against the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup.

“The Free Jacks family stands by Le Roux as he navigates the recovery process. We ask that Le Roux is given time and respect as the post injury process is navigated and thank everyone for the messages of support for Le Roux.

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