“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Oliver family at this terrible time and with the whole Irish team over whom a terrible shadow has been cast,” said Mr Alexander.

“This tournament is about youth, enjoyment and shared experience for young men and their families and to have such an awful accident befall one of the players’ parents is distressing in the extreme.

“We all share the pain of the Oliver family and join them in their sorrow at what should have been a time of optimism and excitement.

“The South African Rugby Union, which is hosting the event on behalf of World Rugby, will do everything in its power to support the Oliver family in coping with this terrible situation.”

Mr Alexander said he had also personally passed on his condolences to the family and IRFU CEO, Kevin Potts, who is in Cape Town for the event.

Mr Oliver was well-known in rugby circles as a former Scottish international scrumhalf (1987-1992) and as the Munster Rugby Elite Performance Officer. His son, Jack, also a scrumhalf, is a member of the Ireland Under-20 team.