[imagesource:franceatpresso2/x]

Rescue services were mobilised yesterday after a French U18 rugby player was swept away by a wave while swimming in the sea near the Cape of Good Hope.

17-year-old Medhi Narjissi, a Stade Toulouse player, was taking part in a team bonding session in Cape Town when he disappeared. The teenager is part of the French men’s under-18 team who are in Cape Town for the International Series.

The French Rugby Federation (FRR) released a statement and has confirmed that a search is currently underway for Narjissi.

“The FFR has learned with great emotion that Medhi Narjissi, Stade Toulouse player, who travelled to South Africa to compete in the International Series with the French men’s under-18 team, has disappeared,” the statement read.

“Wednesday, around 4 p.m., he was swept away by a wave, while he and his teammates were swimming in the sea, at the Cape of Good Hope.”

“Rescue services (boats and helicopters) are currently being mobilised.”

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said Narjissi may have been swimming at the beach when strong rip currents swept the teenager into the surf zone.

“From a vantage point above the cliffs, the TMNP rangers reported that it appeared that two people were in the surf zone in rip currents when it then appeared (to the TMNP rangers) that one person had come ashore but the second person may have disappeared in the water.”

“While raising the alarm TMNP rangers were responding to the scene, below the cliffs of Cape point main parking area, to investigate.”

“The CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network, NSRI Simonstown and NSRI Hout Bay duty crews were activated.”

Narjissi is the son of legendary hooker Djalil Narjissi who represented Agen for 12 years. FFR confirmed that supervisors are on site to assist the players psychologically.

“Pending ongoing research, the French Rugby Federation has approached Medhi’s family and is supporting the U18 team and its supervisors on site, where a psychological unit has been set up.”

The France u18s are currently in Cape Town for the U18 International Series where they will face South Africa, England and Georgia with the action taking place at Stellenberg High School, Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys High School in the Western Cape.

[source:planetrugby]