Stade Toulousain to Honor Mehdi Narjissi in South Africa
In early January 2024, Stade Toulousain will pay tribute to their young player Mehdi Narjissi, who tragically lost his life at sea last summer. The tribute will take place during their Champions Cup match against the Sharks in Durban, South Africa. The entire team will visit Dias Beach, the site of the tragedy, to honor Narjissi, who was swept away by strong currents during a recovery session organized by the French under-18 team on August 7.
Stade Toulousain's president, Didier Lacroix, expressed the team's commitment to remembering Narjissi, stating, "We all have him in mind. A country that touched one of us. We will go and have a moment of reflection." The club plans to spend the entire week in South Africa, allowing them to reflect on the loss and pay respects to a nation that has become significant to them following this tragedy.
A previous tribute was held in September at the Ernest-Wallon stadium during a Top 14 match against La Rochelle, highlighting the deep impact Narjissi's passing has had on the French rugby community. The young player, who was licensed by Stade Toulousain, drowned on a beach where swimming was discouraged, a fact that has added to the sorrow surrounding his untimely death.
