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Johannesburg - Former New Zealand rugby coach John Mitchell has been stabbed in a break-in at his home in Johannesburg.
Mitchell, who joined South African provincial side Lions as head coach in July, was discharged from hospital on Sunday morning after being attacked Saturday night, his club said.
Lions spokesperson Krystle Geach said Mitchell had been stabbed in the thigh and upper arm after two burglars broke into the house he shared with fellow New Zealand-born coach Wayne Taylor in the wealthy Hyde Park suburb.
The former 46-year-old All Blacks player was taken to hospital in nearby Sandton, where he received stitches to the two wounds, Geach said.
Mitchell will return to work on Monday morning "where we will give him our full support and encouragement," Lions president Kevin de Klerk said in a statement.
"We have rallied around both John and Wayne during this terrible time and have placed them both in new accommodation for the time being while we find them permanent residency." De Klerk added. "The complex they were staying in has a reputation for being very safe, and as a result we never had any doubt that they were out of harm's way."
Reports said that Mitchell was in bed when he heard someone entering his room at about 22:00 (SA Time) on Saturday night. Thinking it was his flatmate Taylor, a member of the coaching team at the Lions, Mitchell jumped on one of the intruders. The second burglar then stabbed him in the arm and leg, according to the reports.
The burglars made off "with a few possessions," said Geach.
Mitchell, a former assistant coach with England and New Zealand coach from 2001 to 2003, agreed a three-year contract with the Johannesburg-based team in September. He moved from Perth, where he coached Australia's Force.
