Piet Malan, who was the oldest living Springbok, has died aged 96, national rugby body SARU announced Monday.
The former loose forward died in his sleep Sunday after battling cancer.
His lone Test appearance came in 1949 when he helped South Africa defeat greatest rivals New Zealand 11-8 in Port Elizabeth and complete a 4-0 whitewash.
He would probably have made many more international appearances had the best years of his playing career not coincided with a break in Test fixtures due to World War 11.
Malan was the brainchild behind the establishment in 1964 of an interprovincial schools tournament that has become a highlight of the South African rugby calendar.
“He was a great man,” said SARU boss Oregan Hoskins. “I knew Piet for many years as a regular visitor to Ellis Park, and his passion for rugby never faded.” – AFP