Former Springbok coach and Sharks legend, Ian McIntosh, has passed away at the age of 84.
Ian McIntosh dies: What’s the cause of death?
According to reports, McIntosh had been diagnosed with cancer and passed away in a hospital in Umhlanga, Durban, on the morning of Wednesday, 5 April 2023.
The Sharks expressed their condolences on their official Twitter account, stating that McIntosh was their most successful coach in the team’s history and “a true ambassador of the black and white jersey.” They thanked him for everything he had done for the game, saying that his contribution was eternal.
“Mr Mac, as he was affectionately known, was our most successful coach in the history of Sharks rugby and lead us into the professional era. He was until the end a true ambassador of the black and white jersey.
“Thank you Mr Mac for everything you’ve done for our beautiful game. Your contribution can never be summed up in a few words and is eternal,” the Sharks wrote.
The legendary rugby coach is survived by his wife Rhona McIntosh.
Ian McIntosh biography
Ian McIntosh was a rugby pioneer during a coaching career that spanned decades. He was born on 24 September 1938 in Zimbabwe and passed away on Wednesday, 5 April 2023, at the age of 84 after a battle with cancer.
McIntosh started his coaching career in Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa, where he broke the mould on many levels. He coached the Sharks to their first Currie Cup title in 1990 and won three more Currie Cup titles as coach of the KwaZulu-Natalians (1992, 1995 and 1996).
McIntosh also famously guided the Sharks to the first Super 12 final in 1996, although they lost to the Blues. He was the only man who was head coach of both of South Africa’s senior national men’s rugby teams, having coached the Springboks and the Springbok Sevens team in 2003.
McIntosh coached the Springboks in 12 Tests in 1993 and 1994. Until 2022, his 1993 Bok team was the last from South Africa to beat the Wallabies in Sydney.
After his coaching days came to an end, McIntosh was a Springbok selector for 13 years. He provided mentorship and advice to a number of national coaches on junior and senior levels and stayed involved in the game through the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA).
In 2013, McIntosh was presented with World Rugby’s Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service, recognising his achievement in changing the face of rugby in South Africa.
Overall, Ian McIntosh will be remembered as a rugby pioneer who left an indelible mark on the global rugby landscape. He was an intensely passionate rugby man who never stopped learning, coaching, educating, and giving back. His influence stretched over generations, and he will forever be remembered as a pioneer in rugby.
Reactions to McIntosh’s death
The South African rugby community has been reeling from the shocking news of McIntosh’s death.
Scores of industry peers paid tributes to the 84-year-old, with former Lions and Springbok attack coach Swys de Bruin expressing his gratitude to McIntosh for all that he had taught him.
His passing was mourned by the Sharks and the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union, as well as the greater South African rugby community. The SA Rugby Legends also expressed their condolences, stating that McIntosh was a great man of rugby who gave back so much and worked tirelessly to promote the game.
They added that they were going to miss him and that their love and thoughts were with his wife Rhona and the McIntosh family.
Here are more reactions we picked out: