Former South African rugby star Lukas van Biljon was stabbed repeatedly in the chest, while his father was shot three times and left for dead when a six-man gang invaded their farm at midnight.
Springbok hooker Van Biljon, 47, reportedly received a warning during the event that if he retaliated, the group would kill his children who were tied up as they ransacked the farm in Oranjeville, Free State Province, according to Mail Online.
He received multiple stabbings as a “strong warning to behave.”
His father, Andre, 70, attempted to make a desperate radio call for aid but was seen and shot three times in the chest and hand, leaving him in critical condition in the hospital.
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Two of the attackers were detained, according to Captain Loraine Earle of the South African Police, after local farmers got the news and organized an operation to block all roadways.
She said: “Just after midnight on Saturday the police were called to a robbery at a smallholding at Oranjeville belonging to the Van Biljon family where two men were injured.
“It is alleged six armed men entered the house and tied the children with cable ties and a 47-year-old man was stabbed and his 70-year-old father shot during the robbery.”
A farmer who knows the Van Biljon family well said: “Lukas is a big strong boy but he could do nothing as it was made clear his children would be shot if he put up a fight.
“He was still stabbed several times but it is father Andre who is the worry as he is in intensive care in a very bad way from gunshots.”
The two arrested suspects are appearing in court today on accusations of house robbery and attempted murder, while the other four are still on the run.
The former Sharks hooker made 13 appearances for the Boks between 2001 and 2003, starting against Italy and finishing against New Zealand.