Bulls Star Hanro Liebenberg’s Baby Liviah: The Pregnancy Scare Before Her Heart Stopped

• Hanro Liebenberg and his wife, Danielle, reportedly discovered their unborn daughter had a rare heart defect during a pregnancy scan in England
• Baby Liviah underwent open-heart surgery days after her birth before suffering cardiac arrest during the Bulls’ match against the All Blacks
• The couple feared they would lose their daughter, but Liviah recovered and was discharged from hospital

Bulls loose forward Hanro Liebenberg and his wife, Danielle, endured months of uncertainty before their newborn daughter, Liviah, suffered cardiac arrest during the team’s clash against the All Blacks.

The couple opened up about the frightening pregnancy complications and the emotional toll of waiting to discover whether their daughter would survive, according to an interview with YOU magazine.

Liviah was born on 3 August 2026 with a rare congenital heart defect and underwent open-heart surgery days later. Her condition deteriorated during the week of the Bulls’ match against New Zealand, leaving her parents fearing the worst.

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A pregnancy scare that changed everything

According to YOU, the couple were living in England while Hanro played for Leicester Tigers when doctors detected abnormalities during a routine pregnancy check-up at around 25 weeks.

Scans reportedly showed a gap in the baby’s aorta and two holes in her heart. Danielle told the magazine that doctors raised the possibility of terminating the pregnancy because of concerns about the severity of the condition and the baby’s life expectancy.

Hanro reportedly wanted to give his daughter a chance, believing that things could work out despite the uncertainty surrounding her health.

The couple returned to South Africa in July, and Hanro rejoined the Bulls. Danielle was monitored at Sunninghill Hospital as they prepared for their daughter’s arrival while raising their two-year-old son, Lucah.

Danielle told YOU that the uncertainty affected their relationship. She described herself as emotional and prone to overthinking, while Hanro tended to remain quiet about his feelings.

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The couple also reportedly struggled to bond with their unborn daughter because they feared becoming attached before knowing whether she would survive.

The day Liviah’s heart stopped

Liviah was born on 3 August with a rare heart defect known as interrupted aortic arch, according to the couple’s earlier account to Rapport, reported by Briefly News. She underwent open-heart surgery on the Monday before the Bulls faced the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld.

During the match, hospital staff contacted the family after Liviah suffered cardiac arrest. Doctors had to revive the newborn and place her on life support, according to Hanro’s account of the ordeal.

Hanro’s parents alerted the team doctor, prompting head coach Johan Ackermann to withdraw the loose forward from the game so he could get to the hospital. Hanro later told Rapport that he realised something was wrong when he saw his parents in the change room.

The situation was so serious that Hanro and Danielle prepared themselves to say goodbye to their daughter. However, the couple received unexpected news from Liviah’s cardiologist: her heart was functioning well, and she was recovering.

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Liviah was eventually discharged from the hospital on 14 September.

Springboks get Andrea Piardi again as referee

Briefly News previously reported that Andrea Piardi will referee the Springboks' clash against France after his controversial involvement in South Africa's 42-38 defeat to Australia

Eoghan Cross and Christophe Ridley will officiate South Africa's other two Nations Championship Tests in November.

Source: Briefly News