When Brandwag High School rugby player Dano Swart, 18, recently managed to swallow 5ml of creme soda it was a cause for celebration for his family and friends, who hoped it meant the youngster – badly injured during a rugby match – was slowly clawing his way back to health.

The young sport star suffered a severe neck injury during the Eastern Province high schools rugby trials at Framesby in May, leaving him with fractured neck vertebrae and no sensation in his upper and lower body...