Tributes for former Bok Theuns Stofberg: 'Arguably the greatest 7 flank of the 80s'

Tributes have poured in from the South African rugby fraternity after the death of former Springbok loose forward Theuns Stofberg.

Stofberg, 68, died on Wednesday morning after succumbing to injuries he suffered in a car crash earlier in the week.

Stofberg, who was schooled at the famous Grey College in Bloemfontein, first made his mark on the provincial rugby scene for Free State.

As a 21-year-old, he was part of the Free State team that won the Currie Cup for the first time in their history in 1976. They upset Western Province 33-16 in the final in Bloemfontein.

He also made his Test debut that same year against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein. The Boks lost the Test 15-9 but would go on to win the series 3-1.

Stofberg would eventually play 21 Tests for the Boks and also captained the team on occasion.

A physiotherapist by trade, he would later also play for Northern Transvaal (now Bulls) and Western Province with whom he also won the Currie Cup, becoming the first player to win the prestigious trophy with three different teams.

Stofberg was also a member of the Springbok squad on their infamous 1981 tour to New Zealand - a series characterised by widespread protests against South Africa's Apartheid policy at the time.

Stofberg's loose forward partner on that tour, Rob Louw, was one of the first to express his condolences on Wednesday morning.

"Theuns Stofberg arguably the greatest 7 flank of the 80s, and Springbok Capt. Has passed on after his horrific accident RIP My pel ... condolences to Ansie and family," Louw wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Theuns Stofberg arguably?? the greatest 7 flank of the 80s ,and Springbok Capt .Has passed on after his horrific accident RIP My pel ???? condolences to