Mr Mackay, 26, was in a critical but stable condition in St Augustine’s hospital following four hours of surgery.

He sustained a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation (broken neck), compound fractures to his left tibia and fibula (broken leg) and multiple facial fractures and lacerations as a result of the accident.

He will remain in a medically induced coma for the next 36 hours as he undergoes continued treatment.

Mr Mackay’s parents and partner Trish are on their way to South Africa to be by his bedside.

In what is believed to be an unrelated incident, several of the Brumbies players' rooms at the team hotel were robbed on the same night.

Laptops and mobile phones were stolen.

The security officers travelling with the Brumbies are viewing security footage from the team hotel in a bid to determine who was responsible.

Specific details of Mr Mackay’s incident remain unknown but it is understood he was crossing the road to get in a van with some of his teammates to return to the team hotel.

Several of the Brumbies had ventured out to a nightclub following their 35-14 Super 14 loss to the Sharks hours earlier.

The Canberra Times understands Sharks players Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis were at the venue at the time of the incident.

Jannie du Plessis is a doctor and it is understood he called an ambulance and was the first person to medically attend to Mr Mackay.

The incident occurred at 4.15am Durban time.

Full coverage in tomorrow's Canberra Times