Former Springboks captain Theuns Stofberg passed away on Wednesday morning following a car accident outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape on Monday evening.
Aged 68 at the time of his death, Stofberg captained the Boks in four of his 21 Tests between 1976 and 1984 including the first Test on the infamous 1981 tour of New Zealand, scoring a total of six Test tries.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander paid tribute to Stofberg, saying he was a humble and hardworking rugby player on and off the field.
“To say Theuns Stofberg made an immense mark on South African rugby in a difficult time in the history of our game would be somewhat of an understatement,” said Alexander.
“In 1981, Theuns was a member of the Boks squad that toured New Zealand in very challenging circumstances.
“He concluded his Test career at the age of 29 by captaining the Boks against England in two Tests in South Africa in 1984.
“Lifting the Currie Cup only once is a highlight in the career of many, but Theuns did so five times with three different provinces, which is an amazing feat.
“He was a humble and hardworking rugby player who excelled as flanker and lock, representing the Boks in both positions.
“Theuns held a deep love of rugby, he treasured the ethos and camaraderie of the game, and he ensured that he and his former teammates stayed in touch over the years. He was well-respected all over the world and a wonderful ambassador for South Africa.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Martie, their four children – Elni, Theunis, Johan and Anzél – their spouses, their grandchildren, other family, and friends in this time of grief.”
Stofberg won the Currie Cup in the colours of Cheetahs (1976), Bulls (1979, ‘80) and Western Province (1982, ‘83) – a distinction he held alone until current Springboks eighth man Duane Vermeulen equaled the feat.
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