19 October 2026
South African-born second-row forward Alex Groves makes a return to South Africa this weekend as the Scarlets prepare to battle the DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium.
For the 25-year-old lock, setting foot on the pitch in Cape Town represents much more than a routine United Rugby Championship fixture. Just two years ago, a routine pre-season medical check-up revealed a life-threatening aortic aneurysm that nearly ended his playing days permanently.
Standing at a towering 6 feet 9 inches, Groves’ immense frame initially worked against him, as standard MRI scanners failed to capture the arterial bulge due to his broad shoulders. The sudden diagnosis on his 23rd birthday forced an immediate withdrawal from the pitch to undergo an eight-hour open-heart surgery.
The surgical team successfully repaired the damaged blood vessel, avoiding a catastrophic rupture that medical staff warned could have triggered a fatal internal haemorrhage from a single blunt chest impact.
“Thank God my parents were in that meeting with me because I completely shut off and everything the surgeon told me from that point on I did not take in,” Groves admitted regarding the initial diagnosis. “It literally scared the life out of me, and I didn't actually retain any information.”
Following a highly disciplined rehabilitation program, the former England U20 Grand Slam winner fought his way back into elite rugby, anchoring the pack for Caldy RFC and the Stormers before locking down a permanent spot in the Scarlets' engine room. Groves has injected massive physicality into the Welsh outfit's campaign, featuring prominently in all four opening match rosters this season.
Before going under the knife, reassurance from the medical team helped calm the anxiety surrounding the highly technical procedure. “I remember speaking to my anaesthetist who was a big rugby fan,” Groves said. “He told me the procedure they were doing was as easy as it is for me as a lock to jump in the lineout.”
The modern medical advancements undoubtedly saved his career, allowing him to seamlessly transition back into the high-impact demands of professional rugby. “If I was a player in my position ten years ago, they probably wouldn't have found the problem,” he noted. “Or I would have had to retire or even sadly have passed away. Thankfully, it was a success. I've never had a problem since. It's good as new to be honest.”
Reflecting on the hard-fought road back to the pitch, the giant lock maintains a profound appreciation for his continued involvement in the sport. “So many people struggle to get paid to do what they love,” Groves remarked. “Since it all got almost taken away from me, not just rugby but life in general, it put a whole different perspective on it. I'm just grateful to have the family and support I have around me and that I am still here doing what I love.”