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 word during the first half that Liviah's heart had stopped. Head coach Johan Ackermann immediately withdrew Liebenberg from the field so he could rush to the hospital. The forward was just 30 minutes into the game when he left.
"Her little heart had stopped completely. They had to revive her and put her on life support. It was harrowing," Liebenberg told Rapport.
He described a moment of devastating acceptance that he and his wife, Danielle, reached together.
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"My wife and I were ready to go and say goodbye to our daughter on the Sunday. We told ourselves we needed to make peace with it, that this was not meant for us," he said.
When the couple arrived at the hospital expecting the worst, doctors told them Liviah was still fighting.
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
