OBITUARY | Ian McIntosh: A Cinderella story that became the face of rugby

Loyal and passionate, innovative and knowledgeable, friendly and caring, Ian McIntosh was the face of Natal rugby for 15 years.

"Rugby," he said simply, "was my drug."

Mac selected, guided and motivated Natal teams for 300 games, turning the also-rans - and then the Sharks - into South Africa's champion team of the 1990s. He bridged an age between amateur and professional rugby, and left an indelible mark on the game in this country.

His was a genuine Cinderella story. In 1990, four years after the former Zimbabwe national coach, had taken over the Natal team, they were Currie Cup champions for the first time in their 100-year history.

READ | Sharks, Springbok great Gary Teichmann remembers iconic Ian McIntosh: 'I'm so grateful'

Naas Botha reckoned it was a fluke, but he had wildly under-estimated Mac and his new brand of direct rugby. His approach was often maligned, but Natal won 70% of their matches during the decade and set up team try-scoring records with his wings, Cabous van der Westhuizen and James Small, the benefactors.

Mac, who missed two domestic winters (1993-94) to take charge of the Springboks, took Natal to five Currie Cup finals and four titles in eight years.

But Mac's lasting legacy was changing the outdated style of rugby played first by Natal and then, briefly, the Springboks during his tenure. He worked closely with Australian Rod Macqueen, who turned the Wallabies into World Cup champions in 1999, in finding ways to mould and adapt game plans and tactical approaches.

"Mac was a driven soul who believed passionately in his own brand of rugby," said Macqueen, reflecting on Mac's impact.

"He was one of the very few South African coaches who saw the toll that years of isolation had taken on the country's