Professional rugby has produced some of the sport’s greatest heroes, but it has also seen careers unravel through criminal convictions, disciplinary scandals and actions that permanently overshadowed achievements on the pitch.
Here are five players whose careers were dramatically derailed by events away from rugby.
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5. Bees Roux
Before his off-field downfall, Bees Roux had built a solid professional career with the Griquas, Bulls, Lions, Clermont and Bordeaux-Bègles, and even represented the Highveld XV against the British & Irish Lions.
Everything changed in August 2010 when Roux was involved in an altercation with Johannesburg metro police officer Sergeant Ntshimane Johannes Mogale, who later died from his injuries.
Initially charged with murder, Roux later reached a plea agreement, pleading guilty to culpable homicide. He received a five-year suspended prison sentence on condition that he paid R750,000 compensation to the officer’s widow.
Although he returned to professional rugby in France and later South Africa, the case permanently overshadowed his playing career and reputation.
