Who was Dawie de Villiers and what was his cause of death? Tributes Pour In As “Former Springboks captain ” dead at 81: One more passing news of a prominent figure is currently making the headlines of the newspapers. As per the latest report, former Springbok captain Dr Dawie de Villers has passed away. At the time of death, he was 81 years old. He took his last breath on Saturday night after struggling with a lethal disease. Former Springbok captain Dr Dawie de Villiers was honored for his role in South African rugby, but also in the broader society as a politician later in his life, by Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union. Follow More Update On GetIndiaNews.com

Dawie de Villiers Death Cause

As per the reports, Dr Villiers passed away on Saturday night after a long fight with lethal cancer. Ever since his departed news surfaced in the news, the entire social media flooded with condolences messages, and many prominent figures are paying tribute to this pure soul. Alexander stated, “Dawie de Villiers captained the Springboks as the winds of change were starting to blow through the political climate of sport and his final tour was the 1969-70 ‘demo tour’ of the United Kingdom.

Who was Dawie de Villiers?

“By that time, he had made himself as one of the Springboks’ greatest ever captains, and the fact that he was carried from the field on the shoulders of United Kingdom Barbarians greats Mike Gibson of Ireland and Gareth Edwards of Wales in his final match, proves that the respect and standing in which he was held. That respect later watched him become part of those winds of change in political life as our country moved towards democracy. No doubt, he was a great servant of the country.”

How did Dawie de Villiers die?

De Villiers was born on 10th July 190 in Burgersdrop. After he completed his schooling at Bellville High School, he went on to study theology at Stellenbosch University. Later on, he became a minister in the old National Party regime, but also in the first democratically elected government under the late ex-president, Mr. Nelson Mandela. De Villiers also worked as a South African ambassador in London, as well as a professor in philosophy (in which he completed his doctoral studies) and a cleric in the Dutch Reformed Church.

Dr Villiers as a “political scrumhalf”, as he was explained by well-known philosopher Willie Esterhuyse, was also very engaged in the talks that direct to the unbanning of the ANC, the following release of Mandela, and the 1st democratic elections in the year 1994. De Villiers retired from politics in the year 1996. He played around 25 Tests and a total of estimated 53 matches for the Springboks between the years 1962 and 1970.