[imagesource:facebook/lukasvanbiljon]

Former South African rugby star Lukas van Biljon and his father were left for dead after being shot at and stabbed, respectively, after a gang of robbers infiltrated their small holding in the Free State.

The former Springbok hooker was stabbed a number of times in the chest while his 70-year-old father was shot three times and wounded by six alleged perpetrators, two of whom have since been arrested.

Free State police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said the six armed attackers entered the family farm in Oranjeville around midnight on Saturday, News24 reported.

South African rugby star Lukas van Biljon stabbed repeatedly in chest https://t.co/5bJvTcdgX4 pic.twitter.com/Lh3gP9F2OX

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 29, 2023

Frighteningly, Lukas’ children were in the house at the time, tied up with cable ties by the robbers who threatened to kill them if Lukas or his father fought back as they ransacked the home, SAPeople noted:

The controversial player – who was dropped from the Boks after 13 caps in 2003, after a nightclub brawl – was stabbed several times, and kicked, as a “strong warning to behave”.

Meanwhile, Lukas’ father Andre had apparently tried to call for backup from his fellow farmers on a radio but was spotted by the robbers who promptly shot him in the chest and hand three times. He is in critical condition in hospital.

A farmer who knows the Van Biljon family well said:

“Lukas is a big strong boy but he could do nothing as it was made clear his children would be shot if he put up a fight.

“He was still stabbed several times but it is father Andre who is the worry as he is in intensive care in a very bad way from gunshots”.

The two arrested suspects were due to appear in the Heilbron Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of house robbery and attempted murder.

The hunt is still ongoing for the four other suspects.

[sources:sapeople&news24]