“It says a lot about the sportsmanship of this World Cup, it’s a good gesture from the All Blacks,” Coetzee said. “That is not just saying the ethos and the culture and the values of rugby, but actually living and feeling it. That to me is unbelievable of the All Blacks to do something like that.”
Coetzee had said after the game the team felt bad for Malan as a game against the All Blacks “is a game that every boy dreams of playing in.”
Coetzee said he hoped the jersey would help Malan’s recovery in some way.
The 24-year-old Malan, who plays for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby in the United States, raised a cheer from the spectators as he was being carted off with an oxygen mask on his face by holding up his right arm.
New Zealand’s players also applauded him.
“I really feel for Le Roux Malan, that is really horrific,” New Zealand defence coach Scott McLeod said. “I hope he is in a lot better state today. Our thoughts go out to him.”
In a tough day for the southern Africans, Namibia also lost replacement loose forward Adriaan Booysen to a dislocated left shoulder in a tackle that saw New Zealand prop Ethan de Groot sent off.
Coetzee said Booysen’s shoulder “came back easily.” He will miss their next game against France but might be okay for the last pool game against Uruguay, the Namibians’ best chance of a win.
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