France Under-18 player 'swept away by a wave'

France Under-18 world Medhi Narjissi is missing aft being "swept distant by a wave" while swimming successful nan oversea disconnected Cape Town, nan French Rugby Federation said.

The FFR said nan incident took spot during a betterment convention pinch different players successful South Africa connected Wednesday earlier hunt teams were instantly dispatched.

Two oversea rescue boats and a chopper were progressive but did not find nan 17-year-old, who has precocious signed for Toulouse.

The hunt continued connected Thursday arsenic National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon said beardown rip currents could person swept Narjissi into nan surf area and retired to sea.

Narjissi is simply a personnel of nan France squad preparing to participate successful a five-nation tourney from Monday, besides involving England, Ireland and Georgia.

South African rugby leaders sent condolences to nan FFR and nan player's family, who were expected to get successful South Africa later connected Thursday.

"We widen our deepest condolences to nan family and nan French rugby organization for nan tragic nonaccomplishment of Medhi," said Mark Alexander, president of nan South African Rugby Union.

"We cannot statesman to comprehend nan sorrow nan family must beryllium emotion astatine this moment. Please cognize that nan full rugby fraternity stands pinch you successful mourning nan nonaccomplishment of Medhi.

"This devastating news has been felt profoundly crossed nan rugby organization present successful South Africa and astir nan world."