Rugby-Freak injury for Namibia's Malan not as bad as feared

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool A - New Zealand v Namibia - Stadium Municipal de Toulouse, Toulouse, France - September 15, 2023 Namibia's Le Roux Malan is carried off on a buggy after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (Reuters) - Namibia centre Le Roux Malan said the ankle fracture and dislocation he suffered during Friday's 71-3 loss to New Zealand at the World Cup was not as bad as initially feared but will still sideline him for up to six months.

The injury was one of the ugliest moments of the tournament so far and Malan had to be treated on the pitch for 18 minutes before being carried off on a stretcher to a rousing ovation from the Stadium de Toulouse crowd.