'Formidable' Bok lock passes away

NEWS: President of the South African Rugby Union Mark Alexander paid tribute to former Springbok lock Sakkie de Klerk, who passed away at the age of 86.

De Klerk, who was born on 28 October 1938 in Calvinia, played his club rugby for Diggers in Johannesburg and represented the Lions (then called Transvaal) when he made his Springbok debut on the 1969/70 tour of the British Isles and Ireland.

He played three Tests next to Frik du Preez in the engine room on that tour, against England, Ireland and Wales, as well as a number of midweek games.

Apart from the Lions and Boks, De Klerk also represented the Bulls (then Northern Transvaal), Western Province and the SA Universities team.

“By all accounts, Sakkie and Frik made a formidable lock pairing and he was also part of a Bok pack that included big names such as Hannes Marais, Piet Greyling and Jan Ellis,” said Alexander.

“He was a big man with a big heart who gave everything he had for the teams he represented and his contribution will never be forgotten.

“It’s never easy to lose a member of the South African rugby family and we would like to pass on our condolences to his family, friends and other loved ones in this time of bereavement – mag julle troos vind in julle herinneringe van Sakkie.”