Former South Africa World Cup winner Hannes Strydom has died aged 58, following a car crash in Mpumalanga. The lock played in the Springboks’ 1995 final win over New Zealand, watched by Nelson Mandela at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park. Since retiring, Strydom had moved into business and owned a chain of pharmacies. Strydom is the fifth player involved in the 1995 final to have died.
South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup winner Hannes Strydom has died aged 58, following a car accident in Mpumalanga.
The former lock played in the 15-12 win over New Zealand at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, which was watched by then president Nelson Mandela.
Strydom played 21 official Tests for the Springboks and also played for the Lions, winning the Super 10, Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup in the 1990s
He moved into business after his playing career, going on to own a chain of pharmacies.
According to his former team-mate Kobus Wiese, Strydom was in a vehicle which collided with a taxi on Sunday. He is the fifth player from the 1995 squad to have died since the tournament, after Joost van der Westhuizen, Chester Williams, James Small and Ruben Kruger.
“Hannes was one of the great locks of his generation and as a member of the Springbok squad from 1995, one of the heroes of our local game,” said Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union.
“He was a hard-working lock who never shied away from getting stuck in and doing the dirty work.
“To lose yet another member of the iconic Bok squad from 1995 is a heavy blow to the rugby fraternity here in South Africa and our thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Nikolie, their children, Annalie, Hannes and Lucy, family and friends in this very difficult time.”
Rugby Union president Mark Alexander said.
Source: Africanews
