Former Ulster and Springbok star Wannenburg dies in US car crash

Former Ulster and South Africa rugby player Pedrie Wannenburg has died at the age of 41, after a car accident in Texas.

The retired back row forward was killed when a teenager led police on a high-speed chase and crashed into the back of Wannenburg's car at an intersection, according to local media.

His wife and two children were in the vehicle with him but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

Wannenburg, 41, played 20 times for the Springboks between 2002 and 2007, and was close to being selected for the World Cup-winning squad in France.

He is remembered fondly at Ulster, where he played from 2010 to 2012, starting at number 8 in the province's last Heineken Champions Cup final appearance in 2012.

"Pedrie was a legend of the game and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet," his former Ulster teammate Stephen Ferris tweeted.

"Thoughts are with his wife Evette and his young kids."

South Africa Rugby have also paid tribute to the 20-cap international, who became the first Blue Bulls player to play 100 games in Super Rugby, winning three titles in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

"Pedrie will be remembered as one of the first real versatile loose forwards who could play in any position in the back row and even though he played in only 20 Tests, his record in the colours of the Bulls, during a period where they dominated on all levels, is nearly unmatched," said SARU President Mark Alexander.

As well as the Bulls and Ulster, Wannenburg had spells with French sides Castres and Oyonnax, before moving into coaching in the USA, where he had settled with his family in 2016.

Additional reporting: Reuters