http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/former-springboks-flanker-tyibilika-shot-dead-20111114-1negl.html
The South African Rugby Union says it is shocked and dismayed at reports that former Springboks flanker Solly Tyibilika has been killed in a bar shooting.
It was reported in South Africa that Tyibilika, 32, had been shot and killed in a poor township on the outskirts of Cape Town on Sunday.
A police spokesman confirmed a man in his early thirties died after two men entered a bar and ‘‘randomly shot’’ at customers.
Police had yet release the name of the victim.
SARU President Oregan Hoskins paid tribute to Tyibilika.
“Solly was a trailblazer among black African Springboks and if the reports are correct, to lose him so suddenly and in this brutal manner is very distressing,” Hoskins said.
“The casual disregard for life in our society is shocking.
“His emergence was a demonstration of what can be achieved when talent is combined with opportunity in what is always a very competitive position in Springbok rugby. I remember a very talented player and an immensely likable young man who rose far and fast to become a Springbok early in his career.”
He was the first black African to score a test try for the Springboks, SARU said, with players like 1995 World Cup winner Chester Williams considered mixed-race in South Africa.
A hard-running loose forward with tremendous stamina, Tyibilika played in eight Tests and scored three tries, the last against New Zealand in Pretoria in 2006.
.....
Absolutely horrendous.
The South African Rugby Union says it is shocked and dismayed at reports that former Springboks flanker Solly Tyibilika has been killed in a bar shooting.
It was reported in South Africa that Tyibilika, 32, had been shot and killed in a poor township on the outskirts of Cape Town on Sunday.
A police spokesman confirmed a man in his early thirties died after two men entered a bar and ‘‘randomly shot’’ at customers.
Police had yet release the name of the victim.
SARU President Oregan Hoskins paid tribute to Tyibilika.
“Solly was a trailblazer among black African Springboks and if the reports are correct, to lose him so suddenly and in this brutal manner is very distressing,” Hoskins said.
“The casual disregard for life in our society is shocking.
“His emergence was a demonstration of what can be achieved when talent is combined with opportunity in what is always a very competitive position in Springbok rugby. I remember a very talented player and an immensely likable young man who rose far and fast to become a Springbok early in his career.”
He was the first black African to score a test try for the Springboks, SARU said, with players like 1995 World Cup winner Chester Williams considered mixed-race in South Africa.
A hard-running loose forward with tremendous stamina, Tyibilika played in eight Tests and scored three tries, the last against New Zealand in Pretoria in 2006.
.....
Absolutely horrendous.
