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Former South Africa U18s prop Lugobo Makwedini and South Africa footballer Jayden Adams both passed away over the weekend
Rassie Erasmus has vowed the Springboks will honour two South African athletes who died this week when they take on Wales in Durban on Saturday.
Former South Africa U18s prop Lugobo Makwedini and South Africa football international Jayden Adams both passed away over the weekend in separate incidents. Makwedini collapsed during a training session with his club Beziers in France on Friday.
The 20-year-old was taken to hospital, but later passed away.
Adams, who featured for his country in the FIFA World Cup just weeks ago, was found dead at a property in Cape Town on Saturday. A police investigation has been launched into the 25-year-old’s passing.
The country has been hit hard by two sudden sporting deaths in such close proximity, with Erasmus expressing his condolences on Monday after naming his South Africa team to face Wales in Durban.
“I don’t know the full scope of what happened and why and how it happened,” he said.
“I just know seeing one of your ex-players, anybody in South Africa going through tough times is terrible.
“If somebody passed away at a young age, especially the one boy, the guy (Makwedini) that cheered us on and the other one (Adams) is a soccer player.
“I obviously didn’t know them personally, but them doing what they did and trying to do for our country what they do and then to lose them like that, condolences to their families and their loved ones and to their teammates and the people who were close to them.
“Just seeing somebody struggle is terrible, but seeing somebody pass away for I don’t know what reasons, we’ll pray for them, we’ll play for them.
“Just all our love to their families and their loved ones.”
Speaking earlier this week, Erasmus – who has named four debutants in his side for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash – insisted that Wales are “on the rise”.
“Wales put up a good fight in their Six Nations matches against Scotland and Ireland, and they defeated Italy in their final match of the tournament,” said Erasmus.
“They also beat Fiji in the Nations Championship before going down against Argentina in a competitive match last week, so they are on the rise and will come out with a point to prove this weekend.
“We told the players from the start of the season that if everything played out well, we would give everyone in the squad a chance to play in the competition, and we are excited to see what the uncapped players, as well as those who have not been in the mix for a while, bring to the team.
“This squad shows an exciting mix of youth and experience, and while we are under no illusions about the threat Wales poses, we are looking forward to seeing what these players can do.”
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