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Pumas forward hit by illness

Cape Town - Pumas forward Eduan van der Walt is in the intensive care unit of the Unitas hospital in Pretoria receiving treatment for a rare muscular disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome.

According to Netwerk24, it is the second time that the 28-year-old has been laid low by the disease.

Van der Walt became paralysed within days and currently only has limited movement in his hands and feet.

Two weeks ago he still featured for the Pumas when they won the Vodacom Cup title by beating Western Province 24-7 in the final at Newlands.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is described as a rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves. Weakness and tingling in the extremities are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralysing the whole body.

Van der Walt was first diagnosed with the disease in 2013. He was however also treated for malaria after a holiday in Mozambique. He was paralysed for more than two weeks and underwent rehabilitation for 14 months before making his return to rugby in February this year.

He played his 100th match for the Pumas during this year’s Vodacom Cup.

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