Kobus Wiese’s good friend and former teammate Toks van der Linde says the Springbok great is stable and in good spirits after suffering a ‘scary’ heart attack this week.

News broke on Thursday that Wiese was rushed to hospital, where he underwent a procedure to have a stent inserted into a narrowed vein.

The 56-year-old is now being closely monitored at Mediclinic Panorama in Cape Town, where he is recovering.

Speaking to SARugbymag.co.za on Thursday, Van der Linde explained that Wiese was at home with his wife when he first started to feel unwell on Tuesday night.

Suffering from chest pains and displaying other concerning symptoms, Wiese was first taken to the Mediclinic in Paarl, where he was stabilised, before being transferred to Mediclinic Panorama to consult a leading cardiologist.

A stent was successfully inserted to open the vein, and Wiese will now be closely monitored in the hospital’s heart unit for the next 48 to 72 hours.

Van der Linde said he was in regular communication with Wiese and his wife.

‘Kobus was very lucky, but he is such a strong character that I know he will pull through. But this is a big wake-up call for everyone.

‘I don’t think any of us have slept very much, but Kobus is a strong oke, and now he’s got a second chance. I know him inside and out, he has a very strong mind.’

Van der Linde said immense credit needed to go to all the medical staff and doctors, who helped save Wiese’s life.

‘Apparently Kobus already says he’s ready to go home,’ Van der Linde commented with a chuckle. ‘But this was a big fright, so we’ve been saying he must just chill now. I’m just so happy he’s alive.’