Dale McDermott, the former Springbok technical analyst whose video evidence of Springbok players being abused and humiliated at Kamp Staaldraad shocked the rugby world, was found dead on Sunday at his Durban home, the Independent Online website, www.iol.co.za, reports.
No foul play is suspected, the report read.
McDermott (35), who resigned from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research after releasing pictures before the 2003 Rugby World Cup of shivering and demoralised Springbok rugby players huddled naked in a pit, was a history teacher at Durban High School.
Springbok coach Jake White, who initially brought McDermott into professional rugby as a technical adviser to the SA Under-21 side, said on Monday night that he was ”shattered” to hear of his death.
”Dale was a really special friend of mine,” White was quoted as saying.
”I have known his whole family for a long time and I know that he is going to be really missed by a lot of guys.”
Despite his passion for rugby coaching, McDermott’s decision to blow the whistle on the abuse of players at Kamp Staaldraad is what cost him his job in rugby, read the report.
After being appointed Springbok coach last year, White tried to bring McDermott back into rugby, but his efforts were vetoed by SA Rugby.
McDermott was a grandson of the late Ray Woodley, a former sports editor of the Sunday Express.
Woodley’s widow, Sheila, described their only grandson on Sunday as a ”beautiful man” who ”loved animals, children, fishing and the seaside”.
She was reported as saying he had been sad at being ostracised by South African rugby, but never regretted his actions over Kamp Staaldraad after having been ”appalled” at the treatment of players.
McDermott is survived by his father Dennis, a retired flight engineer, his mother Laurel, and sister Kerry. – Sapa