Durban - Brumbies forward Shawn Mackay was brought out of a medically induced coma on Thursday.
Mackay, whose spine was broken after being hit by a car last week, was in the coma to keep him immobile after undergoing surgery Wednesday to have two vertebrae fused, Brumbies spokesman Nick Smith said.
"The surgery went as well as possible, his spine has now been stabilized" Smith said. "(Mackay) responded to some communication from doctors and his parents through blinking.
"Any development or progress from here is going to be slow."
Doctors are still trying to determine the extent of Mackay's injuries, Smith said.
The 26-year-old Mackay was hit as he and his teammates were getting into a van to return to their hotel Sunday after going out following a Super 14 match in Durban.