'Selfless' Pedrie Wannenburg hailed by his first Bok coach: 'Having guys like that is key'

Pedrie Wannenburg's greatest trait was being a "selfless leader".

That is former Springbok head coach Rudolf Straeuli's enduring memory of the late 41-year-old Bulls legend, who tragically died in a car crash in Texas early on Saturday morning (SA time).

The current Lions CEO - who shrugged off a complicated legacy as the national team's mentor to become one of the local game's most respected administrators - handed Wannenburg his first international cap as a 21-year-old on the ill-fated end-of-year tour to Europe in 2002.

The rookie bruiser had just come off a maiden Currie Cup title with the Blue Bulls under Heyneke Meyer and was summarily pressed into service on what would turn out to be three consecutive record defeats to France (10-30), Scotland (6-21) and England (3-53).

However, the consensus was that Wannenburg was, by far, one of the few players to emerge with their reputations enhanced.

"It was actually quite easy to pick him," Straeuli told Sport24 on Saturday.

"Pedrie was such a versatile player. He'd made his mark as a loose forward, but he was so physically imposing and skilful that you could slot him in at lock too.

"That was a difficult tour to start your career at the highest level on though we were really impressed with how he handled the pressure."

The Bulls on Saturday confirmed that their United Rugby Championship meeting with Benetton at Loftus will be preceded by a moment of silence for Wannenburg.

"The Bulls mourn the loss of a Loftus Versfeld legend and ex-Springbok, Pedrie Wannenburg, who sadly lost his life in a motor vehicle accident in the early hours of Saturday morning in the United States of America, where he was currently based," the franchise said in a statement.

Wannenburg's international career