Reports from South Africa state that Hannes Strydom, a former lock for the Springboks, passed away tragically in an automobile accident.
The 58-year-old passed away on Sunday night following the collision in Mpumalanga. He was a member of the Boks squad that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Kobus Wiese, a close friend and former teammate, told South African media that the late celebrity was involved in an accident with a taxi, confirming the tragedy.
Between 1993 and 1997, Strydom earned 21 caps for South Africa. He also started in the legendary 1995 final in the second row with Wiese.
In 1986, he began his senior provincial career. Two years later, he moved to Northern Transvaal, which is now home to the Bulls. He did, however, spend the majority of his club rugby career with Transvaal, which is currently the Golden Lions. From 1993 to 2000, he made 115 appearances for them.
After hanging up his boots, Strydom worked as a pharmacist in Pretoria and founded the pharmacy chain Pharma Valu. Nine years have passed since he was admitted to intensive care due to a fractured skull and stab wounds sustained while thwarting a plot to steal a car.
Wiese confirmed Strydom’s passing to News24 on Monday morning, saying, “Yes, it is true. Although the details are still very sketchy, I am aware that it occurred in Mpumalanga. He was in a car with someone else when it struck a taxi. That’s all we currently know.”
Nikolie, Strydom’s wife, also told Netzwerk24 that the accident happened on Sunday night on the N4 just before eMalahleni, heading toward Pretoria.
Following the confirmation of his death, his former team, the Lions, released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our very own Lions and Springbok legend Hannes Strydom. During this difficult time, our prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends. May peace be upon his soul.
Sadly, Strydom is now the fifth player from the team that won the World Cup in 1995 to pass away. Ruben Kruger died in 2010 after a fight with brain cancer, and teammates Chester Williams and James Small both died in 2019 from heart attacks. Coach Kitch Christie passed away in 1998, and Joost van der Westhuizen died in 2017 following a diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
