A former chairperson of South African Schools rugby and the founder of Craven Week, Jan Preuyt, died on Thursday evening at the age of 83 in the Eastern Cape town of Cathcart.
Preuyt, a well-known school rugby administrator, was South African Schools chairperson for 19 years, and a friend of the late Danie Craven.
He was the founder of Craven Week in 1964, which was held in East London, and was widely known as the father of schools rugby in South Africa.
Preuyt not only excelled as an administrator but also played rugby for the University of Stellenbosch and Griqualand West.
”He was such a great person. He lived for the youngsters of South African rugby.
”Our only call as a family is for all South African youngsters to carry on his dream and strive to playing sat the Craven Week as it is the pinnacle of schoolboy rugby,” said daughter Elmarie Coetzee on Friday.
Preuyt taught at Port Rex Technical School in East London and is survived by his wife, Johlene, six children and nine grandchildren.
Preuyt’s funeral service will be in East London on Wednesday May 3 and his ashes will be cast at the Absa Stadium, formerly the Basil Kenyon Stadium, in East London. — Sapa