Tributes were delivered on Friday for veteran Afrikaans cricket commentator Kotie Grove who has died at the aged of 71, reportedly after losing his battle with cancer.
EP Cricket President, Donovan May, expressed his condolences to the Grove family on behalf of EP cricket and said he remember's Kotie's commentary fondly.
"Listening to his Afrikaans commentary it was absolutely beautiful, almost like a Charles Fortune in English with the way he commentated. He had a very good knowledge of the game and he could give commentary on the radio so it's almost like you are at the ground when listening to Kotie speak," he said.
Grove's long-standing commentary partner, Jeremy Fredericks, said that he was saddened by the news of Grove's passing.
Speaking to Algoa FM News from India, where he is on tour with the SA A team, Fredericks said he had known "Kotie for over 30 years" when he was still involved with University cricket".
Fredericks said he "had the privilege to commentate with him for 20 years and all the banter that we had in the commentary boxes and the stories that one could have told". He said Supersport is a poorer place with his loss.
"We as the SA A team here in India and also all those who knew Kotie Grove are also very saddened and we promise that we will dedicate this first test match to him and try and well for South Africa," Fredericks said.
Supersport spokesperson, Clinton van der Berg, said "Kotie was very popular and warm-hearted man" and despite all his experience and knowledge he was caring and generous towards the youngsters who came into the world of cricket. Only ever helpful and just loved his job in the commentary box".
Grove reportedly began his commentating career with the SABC in the 1970's in a match between EP and Natal at St George's Park, later joining the Supersport commentary team alongside Fredericks.
He was also a Professor at Nelson Mandela University for more than four decades before his retirement four years ago.
(Pic: NMU Trust)
