Cape Town - Former Lions hooker and current SuperSport rugby commentator, Ethienne Reynecke, is in a critical condition in hospital due to a blood clot on the brain.
The 36-year-old suffered a stroke last Thursday and is currently in the intensive care unit.
On Tuesday, Reynecke’s condition was described as "stable" while doctors waited for medication to take effect on the clot.
A SuperSport spokesperson told Sport24 on Monday that Reynecke's father confirmed that doctors were unable to operate due to the swelling on his son's brain.
He is being kept under sedation.
Reynecke played mainly for the Lions in South Africa, but also had brief stints at Western Province and Free State.
He also played for Saracens in England, Connacht in Ireland and Pau in France.
After retiring from rugby, Reynecke turned his focus to mixed martial arts.
A lifelong WWE fan, in late 2017 Reynecke worked out at the WWE Performance Centre in Orlando, Florida.
In recent times, he has worked as an Afrikaans rugby commentator for SuperSport.
#PrayingforEttas??
— TheYellowCap (@theyellowcap) August 14, 2018
News about @ettasreynecke is that he is stable & still in ICU & still waiting on the medication to take effect on the blood clot in his brain. His family is positive and thanks everyone for their support. pic.twitter.com/yYn8SAHFcS