Mehdi Narjissi, a 17-year-old French-Moroccan rugby player, has been missing at sea since Wednesday while training with the French U18 rugby team in South Africa for the International Series. Mehdi, a rising star at Stade Toulousain since 2022 and a member of the French U18 team, was «swept away by a wave as he and his teammates were leaving the water after a seaside swim at the Cape of Good Hope», according to the French Rugby Federation (FFR). Emergency services, including boats and helicopters, have been tirelessly searching for Mehdi. South African authorities believe he was swimming at Diaz Beach when strong currents pulled him into the surf. A teammate tried to help but couldn't reach him in time. Despite extensive searches by sea, air, and land, there has been no sign of Mehdi, as reported by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). The FFR has reached out to Mehdi's family, including his father, Jalil Narjissi, a former professional rugby player who played for Morocco. Jalil is known for his charity work with the Azimuths Fondation, where he has led various initiatives to help children. To support the heartbroken U18 team, the FFR has set up a psychological support unit. Mehdi began playing rugby at the age of five at SU Agen, where his father used to play. He joined Stade Toulousain when he was 15.
