Hannes Strydom, a renowned former rugby star of South Africa, tragically passed away at 58 in a car collision near Malahleni in Mpumalanga province.
Strydom, a pivotal member of the victorious 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok team post-apartheid, held 21 caps in his Springbok career between 1993 and 1997.
His close friend and former teammate Kobus Wiese revealed that the specifics of the accident remained unclear, but it involved a collision between Strydom’s vehicle and a minibus taxi.
South African Rugby Union President Mark Alexander hailed Strydom as a local game hero, while his former club Lions paid tribute to his legendary status and formidable lock partnership with Wiese.
Strydom’s impact extended beyond the World Cup victory; he led the Lions to a Currie Cup trophy in 1999, amassing 115 appearances for the team from 1993 to 2000.
Beyond his rugby career, Strydom ventured into pharmacy, establishing Pharma Valu post-retirement. In 2014, he survived a harrowing carjacking incident resulting in severe injuries.
Strydom’s passing marks the fifth loss from the 1995 Springbok team, following the deaths of other notable players and coach Kitch Christie, leaving a profound impact on South Africa’s rugby fraternity.
Source-BBC
