School rugby death probed

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Durban - Police were investigating after a high school pupil in Newcastle died, apparently after a rugby tackle, during try-outs for the school rugby team on Monday.

A police spokesman, Jay Naicker, said that 17-year-old Bongukuhle Langa, who was a Grade 11 pupil attending Newcastle High School, died on the school rugby field during the training session.

“It is alleged that he was involved in a tackle with another player and fell to the ground.

“He was certified dead at the scene,” Naicker confirmed.

A post-mortem would be done to determine the cause of death.

The Mercury was unable to reach the school for comment late yesterday.

A Newcastle policeman said the teenager’s family was devastated and was receiving trauma counselling.

Frederick Bester, the president of the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Rugby sub-Union, said he would visit the school today to find out “exactly what happened”.

He had reported the incident to the KZN Rugby Union, which would conduct its own investigation, he said.

“I cannot comment at this stage because I do not know what happened,” he said

He said he was saddened by the accident.

KZN Education Department spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said he too was “upset” by the tragic death of a child playing sport at school.

“I pass my condolences on to the boy’s family, his teachers, his friends, and teammates,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said the department encouraged pupils to participate in sport.

The Mercury