Since that day at Loftus Versfeld and with 25 Test caps under his belt, Nomis has remained on the rugby scene through his involvement with the Transvaal/Golden Lions Old Boys Trust Committee.

But he was dealt a cruel blow late last year when his lower left leg was amputated after a trip to Zurich left him battling first pneumonia, then a clot in his leg.

“The pain was so severe I can only remember telling the doctors they must take it (his leg) away. It was the worst pain imaginable. My wife Annie was basically given three hours to make the call and give her consent (for the amputation),” he said.

A regular at Ellis Park where he cheers his beloved Lions on from the presidential suite – and is often called on for advice by rugby administrators and coaches – he admits subsequent depression nearly got the better of him.

“It’s just unbelievable to be healthy the one moment and then have to start over with a handicap,” he said. “I never thought something like this could happen to me. But here I am, just glad to be alive and I will make the best of it.”

Nomis, 68, counts himself lucky that he could call on good friends made during his career – including rugby commentator Hugh Bladen – for emotional support.

“One of the first people I phoned was my good mate Hugh (Bladen). I asked him how he overcame his bad accident 20 years ago and improved his state of mind and he said to me: ‘Ask for the happy pills’,” Nomis recounts.

“But it has been the encouragement from all my former teammates that has helped me. I phoned Frik du Preez on his birthday and when I told him I was home, he said that’s the biggest birthday present he could have asked for.”

Nomis returned to his work as public relations officer for Specialised Services Group last month. The company is run by his nephew, private investigator Warren Goldblatt.

A printer by trade, Nomis has shown remarkable recovery since losing 22kg and is even driving again.

“Just because I lost my leg doesn’t mean I’m going to stop living my life. I will be back at the stadium when the rugby starts and all I’m hoping for is a better year for the Lions.”

A proud member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Nomis was regarded as one of the game’s fastest wingers until his retirement in 1973 – a year before the famous British Lions tour to South Africa in 1974.

“I never thought anyone could catch me but then this under-19 guy ran me in from behind at a practice. That’s when I knew it was over,” he says of his decision to hang up his boots.

Still passionate about the game, Joburg born-and-bred Nomis believes the Lions will enjoy a better season this year.

“(Coach) John Mitchell has done a magic job with the team.

“We have very exciting players and I look forward to seeing how (flyhalf) Elton Jantjies does. He’s a magic little player.”

On Wednesday, Nomis received the good news that he would get a prosthetic leg within a month. “I should be ready to run out for the Lions in the Super 15 in about April,” he joked.

For his friends, just the sight of him cheering the Lions from the sidelines is victory enough.

Article was first published on Times Live