Wayde Van Niekerk To Miss 2018 Commonwealth Games After Sustaining Meniscus and ACL Tears in Celebrity Touch Rugby Match

By Adam Kopet

Wayde Van Niekerk will be out for at least the next six months after sustaining a knee injury, according to his management team.

The reigning world and Olympic 400-meter champion, as well as world record holder, from South Africa injured his knee earlier this month in a celebrity touch rugby match in Cape Town.

The diagnosis includes medial and lateral meniscus tears and a torn ACL. Van Niekerk is set to have surgery in Colorado. He is reportedly already in the United States.

The injury rehabilitation will keep Van Niekerk out of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, scheduled for April in Gold Coast, Australia. He had planned to contest the 100 and 200 meters.

This news broke just days after the 25-year old got married. This was probably not the honeymoon he was hoping for.

Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you @Neshney. So blessed to start this next adventure with the girl of my dreams! I ♥️ you! pic.twitter.com/mhr0SNOwZE

— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) October 29, 2017