Former Springbok World Cup winner and Super Rugby coach Naka Drotske was pictured making a thumbs-up sign from his hospital bed after being shot during an armed robbery.
The 47-year-old was wounded in the abdomen and arm late Thursday at the home of his brother near Pretoria when he charged at three intruders, two of whom were armed.
After being rushed to hospital, Drotske was initially listed as "critical" but a hospital spokesperson confirmed on Saturday that he was now "stable".
PHOTO: Former Bok hooker Naka Drotské, who was shot three times during a home invasion, gives a thumbs up from his hospital bed.
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) December 1, 2018
Story here: https://t.co/GTe8lWUSIf pic.twitter.com/f2Hw8dO5uA
Many on social media hailed Drotske as a "hero" for tackling the three men and pushing them out of the house.
Drotske was shot three times during the melee and suffered a severe loss of blood while being rushed to hospital.
None of the other five people in the house, including former Springbok prop Os du Randt, were injured.
Du Randt tweeted for people to keep Drostke in their prayers.
Thank you all so much for the messages and prayers - by the grace of God we are ok. Please keep Naka in your thoughts and prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Os du Randt (@osdurandt) December 1, 2018
Police said Friday they were questioning two men but no arrests had been made.
News24 website reported that Drotske was with family, and business partner and former Bok prop Os Du Randt, at a braai when three armed men broke into the house and pointed firearms at them.
"There was a struggle whereby one of the men was shot at," a Pretoria police captain told News24.
Capped 26 times by South Africa, he was the first choice four years later when they finished third in defence of the title in England.
Drotske played for and coached the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs in the domestic Currie Cup and southern hemisphere Super Rugby competitions.
He also spent two seasons as a player with the London Irish club.
Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster told Sport24 website that said the Cheetahs community were in shock.
"From what we hear it is stable and they think it is okay," Verster told Sport24.
— Dave Wessels (@DaveWessels) November 30, 2018
"I had a chat with Os this morning. He is okay. He said it was like a war zone with shots going off everywhere ... he said it was chaos.
"We're just totally shocked and we hope that Naka will recover and that Os is okay ... they are friends and legends of the region".
Drotské played 26 tests for the Springboks between 1993 and 1999.