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Tributes were streaming in on Monday for Kaunda Ntunja, the well-known rugby commentator who has died in East London at the age of 38.
SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander, said in a statement that "he was a true rugby pioneer."
He said Ntunja was the first black African SA Schools captain, a Currie Cup winner and a groundbreaking SuperSport commentator.
"Kaunda left an indelible mark on the local rugby landscape and we will miss seeing his broad smile and hearing his voice at our rugby matches in future – this is a tragic loss, he left us too soon," said Alexander.
"Our thoughts are with the Ntunja family and all of his friends and colleagues for this terrible loss. The South African rugby community is much poorer without Kaunda Ntunja," he added.
Supersport said on its website that it "sadly mourns the passing away of leading rugby commentator and presenter Kaunda Ntunja."
"Our deepest condolences to his family and friends," the broadcaster said.
“The SuperSport family is devastated,” said Gideon Khobane, SuperSport chief executive.
“Kaunda was larger than life, a generous, warm-hearted man who cared deeply for the game he loved and the people within. He will be terribly missed by us all.”
Apart from Kaunda’s rugby prowess, he had a creative bent which saw him enter the world of television production, where he was both successful and prominent.
He made a seamless transition to television presenting and was energised by the potential of isiXhosa commentary on SuperSport.
He became famous for his unbridled enthusiasm and unique spin on commentary, something that endeared him to television watchers.
