South African rugby has been rocked by the death of two players in club competitions last weekend.
Claude Booysen, 32, of the Humansdorp All Blacks Rugby Club in the Eastern Province, collapsed and subsequently died of a heart attack while about to take a conversion in a sub-union league match against the Auckland Tigers, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) confirmed on their website.
Later on Saturday Freddie Arries, 21, of the Tierberg Rebels Rugby Club in the Boland area, complained of severe headaches and passed away suddenly following a match in which he had scored the winning try against Excelsiors United.
SARU president Oregan Hoskins was quick to offer the national body's condolences.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the families, friends and team-mates of players who have passed away so suddenly and so shockingly in the prime of their lives," Hoskins.
"They were enjoying their passion for rugby in their communities when they were struck down and this is a time for the entire rugby community to unite in placing them in our prayers.
"I send the condolences of all of Saru to their families and clubs at this sad time, although words cannot adequately capture the shock and distress their passing must have caused."
