Former World Cup-winning Springbok Hannes Strydom died on Sunday, 19 November 2023. He was 58.
Hannes Strydom dies: What’s the cause of death?
According to reports, Strydom was one of multiple victims killed in a car accident near eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, on Sunday evening,
Despite several utterances from the former rugby player’s family, not much else was said about his exact cause of death.
Strydom’s friend, Joe van Wyk, took to social media to react to the 58-year-old’s untimely death, sharing a text exchange they had hours before his passing.
Details about Strydom’s funeral and memorial service were not announced when this article was published.
Hannes Strydom obituary
Born on 13 July 1965, Strydom’s passion for rugby was evident from his school days at Pearson High School in Port Elizabeth, where the A rugby field is named in his honour.
Strydom’s rugby career was marked by notable achievements, including representing the Eastern Province Schools team at the 1983 and 1984 Craven Week tournaments and making his senior provincial debut for Eastern Province in 1986.
He later played for Northern Transvaal and Transvaal, which became the Golden Lions, forming a formidable combination with Kobus Wiese.
In Super Rugby, he represented the Gauteng Lions and later, the Cats.
Internationally, Strydom shone brightly for the Springboks. His first test match was against France in July 1993 at Ellis Park.
He was part of the historic 1995 World Cup squad, playing in the final and contributing significantly to South Africa’s rugby legacy in subsequent seasons.
His career included test matches against formidable teams like Australia, Argentina, England, Canada, New Zealand, Wales, Tonga, and the British Lions.
Strydom’s legacy extends beyond the field. After retiring from rugby, he dedicated himself to his profession as a pharmacist in Pretoria, showcasing his versatility and commitment to serving his community.
Reactions to Strydom’s death
Hannes Strydom will be remembered as a towering figure in South African rugby, a symbol of sportsmanship, and a true ambassador of the game.
Here’s how social media reacted to news of his passing:
