Former Springboks lock Hannes Strydom has tragically been killed in a car accident, according to reports in South Africa.
The 58-year-old, who was part of the Boks team that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, died on Sunday night after the crash in Mpumalanga. His close friend and former teammate Kobus Wiese confirmed the tragedy to South African media and said the late star was involved in a collision with a taxi.
Strydom won 21 caps for South Africa between 1993 and 1997 and started in the iconic 1995 final alongside Wiese in the second row.
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He started his senior provincial career in 1986, before moving to Northern Transvaal - now the Bulls - two years later. However, he played the bulk of his club rugby with Transvaal - now the Golden Lions - where he made 115 appearances between 1993 and 2000.
Off the field, Strydom worked as a pharmacist in Pretoria and set up pharmacy chain Pharma Valu after hanging up his boots. His death comes nine years after he ended up in intensive care having suffered a cracked skull and stab wounds while fighting off six people during an attempted carjacking.
Confirming Strydom's death to News24 on Monday morning, Wiese said: "Yes, it is so. At this stage the information is very vague, but I know it happened somewhere in Mpumalanga. He and another person were in a vehicle that collided with a taxi. That's what we know at this stage."
Strydom's wife, Nikolie, also told Netwerk24 that the accident occurred on the N4 just before eMalahleni in the direction of Pretoria on Sunday night.
His former club, the Lions, issued a statement after his death was confirmed, reading: “It is with great sadness to have heard of the passing of our very own Lions and Springbok legend Hannes Strydom. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time. May his soul rest in peace.”
Tragically, Strydom is the fifth member of the 1995 World Cup-winning side to have died. Teammates Chester Williams and James Small both passed away after suffering heart attacks in 2019, while Ruben Kruger died in 2010 following a battle with brain cancer. Joost van der Westhuizen passed away in 2017 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, while coach Kitch Christie died in 1998.
