With tears in his eyes, the South African pillar Lourens Adriaanse announced on Monday on social networks the end of his career as a professional rugby player. He announces that he has lymphoma, a form of cancer, and has been undergoing treatment for several months. At 34, the man who in four seasons between 2017 and 2021 has conquered the hearts of Green and White supporters over time, thanks in particular to his scrum holding and his passes on the step, is now thinking of taking care of himself, his “ultimate goal“, before resuming his studies as a chartered accountant.
“I have cancer, but I will get rid of it”
“Two months ago I was diagnosed with lymphoma, it’s a form of cancer. It’s been a tough few months, I’ve started treatment and so far it’s going great, I’m almost halfway through it“, details Lourens Adriaanse in this video where he struggles to contain his tears. He then explains that he therefore made the decision to end his career to focus at 34 on “what matters most: my health, my family“.”I was very lucky to have such a beautiful and long careercontinues the South African, rugby player it does not start on the first day of a professional contract, but from the first time you play with a ball, and that represents more than 25 years of my life“.
The former Pau entrusts to feel “privileged“To be surrounded by his family of course, his friends and all his Durban Sharks teammates.”My life has changed, but it will get better. I have cancer, but I will get rid of it“, assures the pillar who also makes a request to all those he will now meet: “I want everyone I know, everyone I’ve played with, to continue to treat me, to talk to me the same way. It’s hard when you have cancer to see the way others look change. I still feel the same!“
“A monster of character, an inspiration”
Yannick Bru, former coach of Aviron Bayonnais, now a consultant to the Sharks, discovered Lourens Adriaanse in recent months: “in the Top 14, he had hurt us a lot when we played him with Bayonne, but lately I have especially discovered the man“.”He announced his decision to stop a fortnight agotells France Bleu Béarn Bigorre Yannick Bru, I must say that the dignity and the strength of character he shows in facing this situation are remarkable. I saw him daily coming to work on the weight benches of the club, between his chemo sessions, and sometimes with the stigmata of these sessions, he is an example of resilience“.
Yannick Bru also confides all the support that Lourens Adriaanse enjoys with his own:first, of course, his own, his family, those who have the same blood as him; but I also know that he relies on the medical staff of the Sharks, both doctors, psychologists, people who are competent and sensitive to his situation. By his attitude he is unanimous, it was the case as a player, and in the fight he leads today, it has further reinforced all the respect that people have for him. In our little everyday problems, seeing this monster of character is an inspiration“.