‘Great warrior’ Linee loses final battle

Published Nov 4, 2014

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Ashfak Mohamed

DUBLIN: A great leader, a great warrior and a great servant.

That was how Springbok backline coach Ricardo Loubscher remembered Tinus Linee yesterday after the ex-Bok centre lost his long-running battle with motor neuron disease (MND), the same illness affecting former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen.

Linee, 45, was diagnosed with MND in April 2013 and had held various fundraisers, and was assisted by the greater rugby community to help him pay his exorbitant medical costs. He died at home early yesterday morning. He is survived by his wife Diana and three children – Jean, Dieuwke-Jean and Breyton.

He was a stalwart for Western Province, playing in 112 matches for the union between 1992 and 2001, and was part of victorious Currie Cup-winning teams in 1997, 2000 and 2001. Linee never played in a Test for the Springboks, but had been on three tours and played in nine tour games, having made his debut in 1993 at the age of 21 against Victoria in Melbourne.

Loubscher, who was a fullback and wing in his day, first became teammates with inside centre Linee on a 1996 South African A side tour to the UK.

“On my first tour overseas, Tinus was my roommate. So I’ve got some fond memories – great leader, great warrior, great servant. If you think back on the tour, he was one of the senior leaders in the squad, so he obviously made a huge contribution to South African rugby,” he said.

Linee was renowned for his massive tackles in midfield, so asked if he had felt a “hit” from his SA A teammate in provincial rugby, Loubscher said: “Unfortunately not! But looking back at all the tackles, you don’t want to be tackled by Tinus. That 12 channel was always a no-go zone!”

Hailing from Paarl and having attended Paulus Joubert Senior Secondary School, Linee became good friends with fellow Paarl star Chester Williams over the years, and was even an assistant coach to Williams for a Romanian club that won the country’s top league in 2012.

After retiring, Linee worked for the WP Rugby Football Union as a development officer.

“This is a sad, sad day for Western Province and South African Rugby,” WP president Thelo Wakefield said yesterday. “Tinus fought a very brave battle against a dreadful disease, and his tenacity and guts will always be remembered – as a rugby player and during the past 18 months.

“Our thoughts are with his entire family, especially his wife Diana, who stood like a rock beside her husband.”

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer also extended condolences to Linee’s family on behalf of the team ahead of Saturday’s Test against Ireland in Dublin.

“We heard the news from South Africa this morning about Tinus’s sad passing and our thoughts were immediately with his family and community in the Western Cape,” said Meyer.

“We have lost a Springbok brother and it made for a sombre mood in the team room today. To have one so strong and brave struck down by this disease is very cruel indeed.

“We’ll be thinking of Tinus and his family when we take the field against Ireland on Saturday. He is in our thoughts and prayers.”

SA Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins said that Linee had been a “fantastic rugby player and role model to many” in his career.

“He was a standard bearer for his community following rugby unity and carried that flag high, winning Springbok selection and touring twice with the national team.

“He was a fearless player renowned for his devastating defence and earned respect both in the rugby fraternity and in his community,” said Hoskins.

“His fighting spirit on the field and more recently off the field after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease were the measure of the man. He left a legacy that I hope many players will aspire to. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Current and former players took to Twitter to express their condolences. Bryan Habana said: “My condolences to the Linee family on the passing of Tinus. A true rugby man, with a great passion for life. May he rest in peace.”

JP Pietersen posted: “Rest in Peace Tinus Linee! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends. #tinuslinee #legend.”

Ex-Bok wing Ashwin Willemse tweeted a picture of himself posing with Linee, with the words: “Sad to hear about the passing of Tinus Linee. #RiP #rugbylegend.”

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