Bulls Star Hanro Liebenberg's Baby Daughter Liviah Survives Cardiac Arrest After Open-Heart Surgery
- Bulls loose forward Hanro Liebenberg was pulled from the match against the All Blacks after his two-week-old daughter went into cardiac arrest
- Liviah Liebenberg was born on 3 August 2026 with a rare heart defect and two holes in her heart, requiring open-heart surgery days later
- Liebenberg revealed that he and his wife prepared to say goodbye to their daughter before doctors delivered unexpected news
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Vodacom Bulls loose forward Hanro Liebenberg has opened up about the terrifying health crisis his family endured after his newborn daughter suffered cardiac arrest during his side's Test match against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld in August.
Liebenberg spoke to Rapport about the ordeal, revealing that Liviah, born on 3 August 2026, came into the world with interrupted aortic arch, a rare congenital heart defect, along with two holes in her heart. She underwent open-heart surgery the Monday before the All Blacks fixture, just days after her birth.
Liebenberg called off the field mid-match
Bulls management received the devastating news during the first half that Liviah’s heart had stopped, prompting head coach Johan Ackermann to immediately withdraw Hanro Liebenberg from the field so he could rush to the hospital.
The forward had played just 30 minutes when he left the match. Liebenberg told Rapport that his daughter’s heart had stopped completely and that doctors had to revive her before placing her on life support, describing the ordeal as harrowing.
He said he and his wife, Danielle, reached a heartbreaking point where they prepared themselves to say goodbye to their daughter on the Sunday. The couple tried to make peace with the possibility that Liviah might not survive, but when they arrived at the hospital expecting the worst, doctors told them that their daughter was still fighting.
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Liviah grows stronger, returns home
"By God's grace, she just grew stronger and stronger. Healthier. We are so grateful for that," Liebenberg said.
Liviah was eventually discharged and returned home last Monday, where she met her older brother Lucah for the first time.
Liebenberg, who previously played club rugby in England, said the crisis reinforced his decision to return to South Africa, explaining that his family came first and that he felt they needed him.
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Source: Briefly News
