Rugby: Mitchell cried through stabbing attack

John Mitchell. Photo / Getty Images

Former All Black coach John Mitchell said he has "never cried so much" during the home invasion at his flat in Johannesburg, South Africa over the weekend.

Mitchell recalled the traumatic experience, in which he suffered a stab wound to his upper arm and thigh, on Breakfast this morning.

He woke up to find an intruder by his bed on Sunday morning (South African time).

"All of a sudden I was being attacked by these intruders, which I thought was just my flatmate, Wayne Taylor, playing a prank on me.

"But then there was a second body involved. I reacted in defence, I think I got stabbed at that moment but I wasn't aware of it because of the adrenaline.

Mitchell said he was forced into the foetal position, before being tied up with curtain ropes, the string from his rugby shorts, a lamp cord and a tie.

"I've never cried so much," he said. "I was forced to shut up, slapped on the head, I wasn't allowed to look at them.

"It was really surreal. I guess you never expect this to happen to you," Mitchell said.

Mitchell is in South Africa to coach the Golden Lions Currie Cup and Super rugby teams. Taylor, also a New Zealander, is the teams' conditioning coach.

"We live in a lovely complex, but unfortunately it hasn't been secure for three months (as the electric fence was broken). They got in very easily through a kitchen window."

"I guess my immediate reaction was 'I'm a New Zealander, please don't kill me, don't kill friend, and you can have whatever you want."

"I was concerned about my flatmate, my work colleague, Wayne Taylor. I didn't know if he was alive.

Fortunately, Taylor had heard the commotion and was able to lock himself in his bathroom, before escaping out the window to get help.

"He could have made a choice to come in and have a crack but he made a very good choice," Mitchell said.

The attackers took around 800 Rand (NZD$150) but were after jewellery, Mitchell said. They also took electronic equipment, although dumped most of it while fleeing the scene.

He said the assailants fled when the police knocked on the door.

"I thought I was pretty well finished at that stage, I thought somebody was going to come and finish me off."

"I was very fortunate that the police unravelled me and than I turned around and there was blood squirting out of my thigh and all over the duvet.

"I thought I have cut my artery but thank god it just missed."

- Herald online