Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward following the death of Blue Bulls rugby player Francois Swart in a road accident near Victoria West in the Northern Cape on Friday.
Police spokesperson Chantal Manuel said witnesses to the accident could call Inspector Liaan Gerber on 083-284-4612 or the Victoria West police station on 053-621-0608.
Swart, of Pretoria, and two friends were travelling in a car when the driver apparently lost control and the car left the road and overturned. Swart died on the accident scene.
The other two in the car were injured seriously and were transferred to a Bloemfontein hospital for treatment. Manuel said it was not known who was driving when the accident occurred at 5.45am. All three were found outside the vehicle.
SuperSport Zone reported on Friday that Swart and two of his former Afrikaans Hoer Seunsskool friends, Lodewyk Loubscher and Corrie de Wet, were travelling back to Pretoria after a holiday in Mossel Bay.
Manuel confirmed the route. Blue Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer said it had been a privilege to coach Swart.
”He was a top-class person and an inspiration to all around him. He always laughed and was a positive person at all times. He was one of the most talented players I have coached and I have no doubt that he would have reached great heights. His talent and motivation contributed to the Currie Cup success of the Blue Bulls in 2003.”
Stephan Pretorius, CEO of the Blue Bulls, expressed condolences and said the union would miss the flyhalf, both on and off the field.
The SA Rugby Football Union expressed its sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of talented ”Swys”, who was contracted to the Blue Bulls.
Sarfu CEO Mveleli Ncula said the player’s death was a heavy blow for rugby in South Africa.
”Our hearts are with the family in this difficult period. He had so much potential. It’s a great loss.”
SA under-21 coach Jake White said he was devastated by the news of Swart’s death.
”Words cannot express my feelings. He was not only a great player, but an outstanding personality as well.
”Swys was a rising star who was destined for greater things in rugby. Age was on his side. When we won the under-21 world championship in Johannesburg two years ago, he was a key figure in the squad. One of the most memorable moments was when he kicked a penalty in extra time of the semifinal against New Zealand, narrowly winning us a place in the final against Australia,” White said.
The former University of Potchefstroom student, who was born in Pretoria on 14 April 1982, leaves behind his parents, Thys and Sally, and sister Eliane Burger.
His father said in Pretoria on Friday: ”My heart is broken. There was a great future for him in rugby.” – Sapa