Ex-South African Rugby Union player Solly Tyibilika found dead in Cape Town - Rugby News
Ex-South African Rugby Union player, Solly Tyibilika, has been found dead in Gugulethu, near Cape Town, on November 13. The reason behind his murder is yet to be discovered as investigations are underway. SARU has expressed it deep grief over the killing
of its former player. Oregan Hoskins, the president of SARU told the media on November 14 that Solly’s murder is very distressing for him and incident depicts the indifference of South African society towards life.
Solly Tyibilika made his international debut for South Africa back in 2004 against Scotland as a flanker. He represented his national side in eight tests and earned 15 points for Springboks. He became the pioneer black player for South Africa to score a
try in his very first outing against Scotland. He was the part of Boks side that defeated Wallabies in Try Nations Series 2005 by 33-20. Furthermore, he experienced a wonderful victory with South Africa while playing against Uruguay, which they won by 134-3.
Earlier, he had played great number of domestic rugby for various teams before joining the national side. During his domestic career he played for Griqualand West, the Sharks, Lions and Border in more than 150 matches. He was also the part of Southern Kings
that played against British and Irish lions in 2009.
Talking to the reporters after his death reports, Oregan Hoskins said that, “Solly was a trailblazer among black African Springboks and if the reports are correct, to lose him so suddenly and in this brutal manner is very distressing. The casual disregard
for life in our society is shocking.”
He also paid Tyibilika a rich tribute for his tremendous services for Springboks side. He added that, “His emergence was a demonstration of what can be achieved when talent is combined with opportunity in what is always a very competitive position in Springbok
rugby. I remember a very talented player and an immensely likable young man who rose far and fast to become a Springbok early in his career.”
Tyibilika played his last test for South Africa in 2006 against the All Blacks.
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