Hannes Strydom, a former member of the Springboks rugby team that secured South Africa’s inaugural Rugby World Cup triumph in 1995, has died.
The 58-year-old Strydom died in a car crash in Mpumalanga province on Sunday night. Initial reports say that his vehicle crashed into a taxi while he was traveling with another individual.
Kobus Wiese, a former teammate of Strydom in the Springboks, confirmed the incident to News Central. Strydom’s death is the fifth loss among the members of the 1995 Springboks squad.
The team made history with their remarkable victory against New Zealand’s All Blacks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium, securing a memorable 15-12 win.
This momentous match was a significant milestone in post-apartheid South Africa, symbolising unity and reconciliation. President Nelson Mandela notably championed racial harmony with the powerful slogan, “One Team, One Country.”
