Former Springbok winger James Small dies
PARKHURST – Former Springbok and local rugby coach, James Small leaves memories behind in Joburg after his passing.
Former Springbok winger, James Small has died at the age of 50. The Parkhurst resident died after suffering a heart attack on 10 July.
He played 47 Test matches for South Africa between 1992 and 1997 and was part of the squad that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The legendary Bok winger will be remembered also as a loving father and friendly coach in the Joburg rugby community.
Small recently coached at Pirates Rugby Club in Greenside.
“This is a massive loss to us,” said the club’s chairperson, Brad Guymer, who was somewhat upset while talking over the phone. James was an amazing man and father. There is no one more passionate that I have met.”
Other Joburg rugby clubs also paid tribute to the former Springbok.
“I will never forget how he stopped Jonah Lomu in the World Cup final against new Zealand,” said Alex Wolves Rugby Club manager, Elias Mpengu.
Wanderers Rugby Club head coach, Neil Kalify called Small a ‘rugby legend’ and ‘a very good man.’
For Diggers Rugby Club manager, Andrew Collison, Small was a role model for every South African rugby fan during the 1995 World Cup.
“It is sad to lose a person of his calibre at 50,” he said.
Tshuma Stingers founder and CEO, Ndumiso Tshuma sent his condolences to the family and friends of Small, saying they were in the Midrand rugby club’s prayers and if they were in a position to attend the funeral, they would.
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