Dual-code rugby icon Sonny Bill Williams has revealed he recently underwent life-saving open-heart surgery after doctors discovered a congenital heart defect during a routine checkup.

The 41-year-old former All Black shared that the condition – present since birth – was discovered incidentally during follow-up care for a neck operation.

Medical experts warned him that the issue posed a severe risk of sudden cardiac death, calling it a “miracle” that it was detected before a fatal event occurred.

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Following successful surgery, Williams declared it his new mission to raise public awareness about the crucial need for regular heart checks, emphasising that

Read the full article from The South African Rugby here.