Former Namibia captain dies in accident

NEWS: Namibia Rugby and the cycling community have suffered a great loss with the tragic news of Gerhard Mans.

The former Namibia captain Gerhard Mans was killed at the age of 60 in an accident on the Western Bypass.

According to media reports, a car struck him while he was cycling with his son, Gerhard Junior on Wednesday.

The driver of a white BMW without number plates was reportedly arrested at the scene of the accident.

Mans made his senior provincial debut in South Africa for the Free State in 1982 and in 1985 returned to his home country –  at the time South West Africa participated in the South African domestic rugby competitions.

In 1987 Mans was appointed as captain of South West Africa and under his leadership in 1987, South West Africa won the B division of the Currie Cup and gained promotion to the A division for the 1988 season.

Mans was selected as captain for the first Namibian national side after independence.

Namibia played its first test match on March 24, 1990 in Windhoek against Zimbabwe and Mans scored one of his team’s six tries in a 33–18 victory.

In his second test, against Portugal, he scored a record six tries.

Mans continued to play 27 test matches and scored 26 tries for Namibia and also captained the team 26 times.

He was one of the five nominees for 1988 SA Rugby Player of the Year award.

Very bad day. Rip Gerhard Mans my rugby hero. You taught me so much and were ALWAYS friendly. Namibia will FOREVER remember your name. Was an honor knowing you. God be with your family and friends. 🙏🏻

— Fanie Botha (@FanieBotha9) May 4, 2022

Namibia 🇳🇦 legend gone too soon. RIP Gerhard Mans. pic.twitter.com/kOxAxcPJD8

— Japie Hoon (@JapieHoon) May 4, 2022