African Springbok Morgan Cushe passes away
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has passed on its condolences to the loved ones of Morgan Cushe, a former African Springbok, who passed away in Port Elizabeth on Friday. Cushe was 65 years old.
“It’s always sad when a member of the South African rugby family passes away and we would like to extend our condolences to Morgan’s family and friends in this difficult time,” said SARU President, Mr Oregan Hoskins. “He was a great loose forward and someone who wore his national colours with pride.”
In his playing days, Kirkwood-born Cushe ran out at loose forward for Uitenhage club Swallows. He represented Eastern Province in the competitions of the South African African Rugby Football Board from 1968 onwards.
In 1971 he was selected to represent the national body as a Springbok against the Proteas of the South African Rugby Football Federation in an inter-racial Test.
This set the stage for further subsequent Tests under the banner of the Leopards against both local and international opposition such as England (1972 & 1984), Italy (1973), the British Lions (1974 & 1980), France (1975) and the New Zealand All Blacks (1976).
Cushe also played a further 11 tests against the Proteas and represented the African Leopards in a total of 22 matches between 1971 and 1984.
Former EP Rugby Union development programme co-worker Themba Ledwaba told The Herald newspaper the death of Cushe was a great loss for rugby in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
“We worked together as rugby development officers in this region and focused on recruiting players from school level,” said Ledwaba. “We worked very well with Cushe. He always applied professionalism and experience.”
Cushe is survived by his six children and 10 grandchildren.
The funeral is on Saturday, 12 October, at the Babs Madlakane Hall in Uitenhage.
Courtesy of SARU
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