Springbok 1995 World Cup-winner Strydom dies in car crash

Springbok 1995 Rugby World Cup winner Hannes Strydom died after his car collided with a minibus taxi to the north-east Johannesburg, South African Rugby president Mark Alexander said on Monday.

The crash that claimed the life of the 58-year-old pharmacist occurred on Sunday near the coal-mining town of eMalahleni, 140 kilometres from the South African economic capital.

"Hannes was one of the great locks of his generation and as a member of the Springbok squad from 1995, one of the heroes of our local game," said Alexander.

"He was a hard-working forward who never shied away from getting stuck in and doing the dirty work."

Mr Mark Alexander has paid tribute to Hannes Strydom, the fifth member of the #Springboks squad that won the Rugby World Cup in 1995 who has passed away - more here: https://t.co/HM16gOLaPA 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/LfWUjU9W1b — Springboks (@Springboks) November 20, 2023

Strydom won 21 caps for South Africa between 1993 and 1997 and played all of his club rugby in South Africa.

The highlight of his international career was helping South Africa defeat New Zealand 15-12 after extra time in the 1995 World Cup final in Johannesburg.

He is the fifth player from the 1995 team to have died after flanker Ruben Kruger, scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, and wingers Chester Williams and James Small.

Strydom captained the Johannesburg-based Lions team that won the premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup, in 1999.

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.#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/wt21wMe1wQ — Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) November 20, 2023