South Africa's rugby fraternity is mourning the loss of former Springbok, Theuns Stofberg.
He died on Wednesday morning at the age of 68, after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a multi-vehicle accident outside Stellenbosch on Monday.
The Western Cape MEC for Sport, Anroux Roux, said Stofberg had made a great impact on rugby in the country, helping to bring joy through sport to many people during difficult times.
"His untimely death due to a car accident comes as a great shock to us. He will always be remembered for his contribution to rugby in the province and at a national level," she said.
She said he won the Absa Currie Cup with three different provinces, the Free State, the then Northern Transvaal, as well as Western Province.
The only other player to reportedly achieve that feat was former Springbok winger James Small.
SA Rugby Magazine said news of Stofberg's passing was confirmed in a statement by his son-in-law, Staphanus Rabie.
"Emergency services were able to cut Theuns out of the vehicle and transported him in critical condition to a private hospital, where he was treated in an intensive care unit. However, his many injuries were too severe for his body to recover and he passed away early Wednesday morning," the publication reported.
"To say Theuns Stofberg made an immense mark on South African rugby in a difficult time in the history of our game, would be somewhat of an understatement," said SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander.
"He made his Test debut against the All Blacks in 1976, only a year after playing for the SA U21s, and played in all four Tests in the series victory over the British & Irish Lions in 1980.
"In 1981, Theuns was a member of the Bok squad that toured New Zealand in very challenging circumstances, and he concluded his Test career at the age of 29 by captaining the Boks against England in the two Tests in South Africa in 1984.
"Lifting the Currie Cup only once is a highlight in the career of many, but Theuns did so five times with three different provinces, which is an amazing feat. He was a humble and hard-working rugby player who excelled at flanker and lock, representing the Boks in both positions.
"Theuns held a deep love of rugby, he treasured the ethos and camaraderie of the game, and he ensured that he and his former teammates stayed in touch over the years," Alexander said.
