WPRFU salutes rugby great Salie Fredericks

Jul 7 • General News • 1002 Views • Comments Off on WPRFU salutes rugby great Salie Fredericks

Western Province Rugby Football Union President, Mr Thelo Wakefield, has paid his respects to South African rugby great Salie Fredericks who sadly passed away on Thursday.

The uncompromising lock forward represented Western Province in over 200 matches in competitions of the former South African Coloured Rugby Football Board, and later the non-racial South African Rugby Union and captained them to three consecutive Rhodes Cup titles.

The Green Point legend also played nine ‘inter-racial’ Tests for the South African Rugby Union national team against the African Springboks and the SA Rugby Federation’s Proteas between 1963 and 1974.

Wakefield said that South African rugby has lost a giant of the game who will long be remembered for his considerable prowess on the field of play.

“Salie Fredericks is one of the greatest rugby players to come out of South Africa who was denied the opportunity to play at the highest level.

“He was a giant of the game who could be described as our Frik du Preez, such were his abilities as a lock forward.

“Salie Fredericks made a major contribution as an icon who was known as one of the finest players by all who saw him in action.

“The WPRFU would like to extend its condolences to his family, as well as the wider South African rugby community who have lost an inspirational figure,” said Wakefield.