Rugby Star and Golfers Help Young Woman After Harrowing Stroke

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Bulls and Springbok Fly Half, Morné Steyn has reached out to get help for a rising star in women’s rugby; Marizaan du Toit’s bright career came to a halt after she suffered a massive stroke.

Pretoria, South Africa (14 March 2022) – The 2022 women’s rugby season was set to be Marizaan du Toit’s year. The hopeful 19-year-old kept her fitness up throughout the pandemic so she could run out to the field for her first match on top form. Sadly, before she got the chance, she suffered a massive stroke.

Marizaan has been an impressive, all-around young sportswoman her entire life. She is one of twins, and her mother Jacqueline always calls her “the busy one”. Both Marizaan and her twin-sister, Marilu, have competed on the provincial level in various sports, but it was women’s rugby that Marizaan has been focusing on recently.

She has played for the Blue Bulls and Tuks Women’s Rugby as well as the junior Springboks and was drafted for the Senior Women’s Ruby training squad last year. During this time, she was blessed to meet legendary Bulls and Springbok flyhalf, Morné Steyn.

“She’s very talented and passionate and I helped her with her kicking”, says Morné.

She had a very bright, exciting career in rugby ahead of her. Sadly, on the 4th of December last year, everything changed. Marizaan suffered a massive stroke. She was rushed into emergency surgery to help ease swelling on her brain. A big part of her skull on the left-hand side was removed to help with the swelling. Thankfully, Marizaan pulled through and entered the next phase of treatment, rehab.

She is in rehab now, working on returning to her former self. Sadly, the stroke has left Marizaan unable to speak, write or walk. These cases vary from person to person, and there is no telling how long her recovery process may be. According to her mom, she is determined and works very hard each day to make progress.

Marizaan’s medical aid cover for rehab ends at the end of March. At this point, she will be released from the facility, and any additional rehabilitation will be at the cost of her family.

Hearing this, friends, family and teammates started fundraising to cover the costs of another month in rehab. This gives Marizaan an even better chance at bouncing back. One of these friends is Morné Steyn, who reached out to Good Morning Angels on Marizaan and her family’s behalf.

Allan Pennel, the vice-captain of the Northern Nomads Golf Club, heard the plea and decided to step in and help Marizaan. The NPO donated R60,000 towards Marizaan’s medical expenses.