Sedick Pretorius.

Mr Pretorius was a stalwart of the Silvertree RFC in the old District Six in Cape Town. A livewire centre, he also represented Western Province in the competitions of the former South African Coloured Rugby Football Board, and later the non-racial South African Rugby Union (SARU), and he wore the green and gold from 1965 to 1968.

An uncle of Vodacom Bulls flanker Nizaam Carr, who made his Springbok debut in 2013, Pretorius was a member of the Western Province team that won the SA Cup (which replaced the Rhodes Cup) in 1971, scoring a try in the final which they won by 19-6 against EP.

“Boeta Sedick was rightly described as a legend of the game and not only a gentleman, but also a giant in his community at a very difficult time in our history, who lived his life as a great example to those younger than him,” said Mr Alexander.

“He and thousands of others were badly affected by the forced removals from District Six in the 1960s and due to the politics of the time, he was also not afforded the opportunity to play for the Springboks, but Sedick and many others still rose to the top and deservedly wore the green and gold.

“They are part of a generation of players we must never forget, as they sacrificed so much. Another member of that WP team, Armien Manuel, passed away two weeks ago and we lost their captain in the 1971 final, Salie Fredericks, a former SARU captain, six months ago.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his children, Sumaya, Wasfie and Igshaan, other family members, friends and loved ones in this very sad and difficult time. May you find solace in the memories of a great man, and we pray that Almighty Allah grant him Jannat Firdaus.”