The Golden Lions Rugby Union announced on Saturday that local referee Francois Smit has passed away.
A member of the Golden Lions Rugby Referees Society, Smit, 56, died in Carletonville on Saturday. It is believed he passed away from a heart attack.
According to the referees manager at the Golden Lions, Theuns Naude, Smit handled a match at Allen Glen High School on Saturday morning and then drove through to Carletonville to referee a match there in the afternoon.
“He was a very committed referee who was always available, no matter what the game was, be it under-14s or any other club or schools game,” Naude said.
“He was always eager to go on the field, and was an extremely trustworthy referee who never missed an appointment.
“It is a great loss for the union and a truly sad day for refereeing. He will be sorely missed.”
Smit lived on the West Rand in Johannesburg and leaves his wife Lynn.