Tackles, tears and troubles... a South African Sports Medicine Association perspective

Abstract

Rugby Sevens returns to the Olympics this August after an absence of over 90 years. South African Seabelo Senatla, pictured on the cover of this edition, is one of a number of international Rugby Sevens players with poetic-sounding names. Akira Ioane (New Zealand), Nathan Hirayama (Canada), Collins Injera (Kenya) and Savenaca Rawaca (Fiji) have titles of similar allure for rugby commentators. The truly international reach, fast pace and tempo of the sport are likely to do justice to the Olympic mantra of “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, but the debates surrounding the risks of collision sport, the discussions around injury epidemiology and prevention and the ubiquitous grey cloud of doping are unlikely to evaporate in the midst of Olympic euphoria. This SASMA-led BJSM edition scrutinises these aspects of sport.