South Africa has once again lost another hero.
Bok legend Salie “Lippe” Fredericks passed away on Thursday.
Rugby players past and present, friends and colleagues have all been paying tribute to the gentle giant.
They took to social media to pay tribute to the legend.
This is what some of them had to say:
Temba Ludwaba said, “Legend Salie fredericks has just passed away. Inna Lillahe wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon.”
Charles Kleinbooi said, “Today, my tutor, coach, hero and friend has say farewell to us, and the whole rugby fraternity. Salie (Lippe) Fredericks may your soul find peace.”
Reuben Riffel said, ”RIP Salie Fredericks, Legend the greatest SARU player ever.”
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander said that South African rugby has lost a hugely inspirational figure.
The form lock and SARU (South African Rugby Union) captain has been battling for years against diabetes and had his legs amputated some time ago as a result of the illness.
Fredericks is regarded as one the finest players to ever come out of South Africa.
His CV speaks volumes, he captained Western Province and won the Rhodes Cup for three consecutive years from 1971 to 1973.
He played in over 200 games for Western Province and nine games for SARU national team between 1963 and 1974.
The nine games he played for SARU were “inter-racial” matches against the African Springboks and the SA Rugby Federation’s Proteas.
Fredericks scored three tries during that period.
The fallen hero has been laid to rest today as his janaazah took place today at 10am at his family home in Panorama, Cape Town. From the family the funeral will proceed to the Panorama mosque.
Fredericks and Joost van der Westhuizen, who passed away in February of this year, will surely play starring roles in the heaven 15 team.
