Sybie 46: RIP to Rossi’s biggest fan

MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi has lost one of his biggest fans in South Africa. Sybrandt Jansen van Rensburg was laid to rest on Friday, 17 February at the AGS Church in Wilro Park. The atmosphere was somber yet celebratory as mourners arrived for his funeral. They were wearing specially made T-shirts bearing Sybrandt’s nickname ‘Sybie’ and his hero’s name and racing number ‘Rossi 46’. Sybrandt had been a fan of Rossi since he saw him racing at the Phakisa Raceway as a young boy.

The 32-year-old matriculated from Hoërskool Florida in 2002 where he was captain of the boys’ first team hockey for three years. He was also an avid judoka and excelled in the sport. After leaving school, he made a name for himself, being involved in the Stainless Steel Balustrade industry. His job saw him travelling overseas to countries such as Brazil, but to Sybrandt, there was no place like home where his family waited for him.

He made a home with his wife Natasha and had three children, Lliume (6), Luvhan (3), and baby Liam (2 months).

His father, JD van Rensburg, said Sybie was an idol for the youth as he was a good son and had many friends.

“It was Monday that he complained of a sore throat and we advised him to see a doctor. He was on his way to get blood tests when he collapsed at the doctor’s practice. He was also a keen angler and was once featured on the front page of a popular fishing magazine. He was such a good boy. His untimely death should serve as a warning to all to go to the doctor, even for the smallest of ailments, and not just ignore them,” he said.

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