Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has survived being stabbed by intruders in his hotel room while in South Africa.
Two intruders broke into his room in Johannesburg on Sunday night and one of them stabbed the New Zealander during a struggle, the Nine Network reported.
The intruders then tied him up and fled.
Mitchell, 46, who is in South Africa coaching the Lions for next year’s Super 15 competition, was being treated in hospital.
A spokeswoman for Mitchell’s Lions rugby team, Krystle Geach, told Stuff that Mitchell had been at home with his flatmate and fellow coach Wayne Taylor when he heard a strange noise.
“Mitch heard someone coming into the room. He thought it was Wayne, because Wayne has quite a dry sense of humour, so he tackled the guy,” Ms Geach said.
“But it was an intruder, who stabbed him in the arm and the leg.”
Mitchell was taken to hospital, but was released after having his wounds stitched up, Ms Geach said.
“He is otherwise ok, a little bit shocked but ok. He will be back at work tomorrow.”
Both men were placed in temporary accommodation while local police investigated the break-in at their Hyde Park apartment.
Mitchell’s mobile phone and laptop were stolen by the intruder.
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