South African rugby has been left mourning the death of former Bulls and Tuks rugby player Dewald Naude, with Springbok Marco van Staden among those paying tribute to his former teammate.
Naude’s death was confirmed on Saturday, 3 October, although the cause of his death has not been disclosed.
His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from former teammates, friends, schoolmates and members of the wider rugby community.
Paarl Boys High Remembers Former Pupil
Naude was a 2013 matriculant of Paarl Boys High, a school with a strong rugby tradition that has produced several Springboks.
Among its notable rugby alumni are Frans Malherbe, Thomas du Toit, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos and Cameron Hanekom.
Following news of Naude’s death, Paarl Boys High Old Boys shared a tribute to the former pupil and expressed its condolences to his family.
The organisation said it shared the grief of the class of 2013 and hoped the memories of Naude’s life would provide his loved ones with comfort during the difficult period.
Wife Pays Emotional Tribute
Naude’s wife, Annabel, also confirmed his death in an emotional social media message.
She described him as her husband and soulmate and reflected on the qualities he had shown throughout their relationship.
Annabel praised his courage, determination, perseverance and strength, saying his approach to difficult moments had taught her important lessons about remaining positive.
She also thanked him for making her feel loved and described him as a source of calm in her life.
Van Staden Remembers Former Teammate
Springbok loose forward Marco van Staden was among those to publicly remember Naude.
The pair had shared the field during their time with the Bulls U21 side, while they also played together for Tuks at the University of Pretoria in the Varsity Cup.
Van Staden described Naude as a brother and remembered the impact he had on those around him.
In his tribute, the Springbok reflected on the happiness Naude brought into his life and the ability he had to make others forget their problems.
‘You Were Brave and Fought’
Van Staden’s tribute also appeared to reference health difficulties faced by Naude before his death.
He praised his former teammate for continuing to put others ahead of himself during what he described as the most difficult period of his life.
Van Staden said Naude had shown remarkable bravery and continued fighting while maintaining the smile for which he was remembered.
The tribute painted a picture of a man whose character and friendship had left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
Cause of Death Not Established
While Naude’s death has been confirmed by his family and former school community, no cause of death has been made public.
His passing has nevertheless sent shockwaves through the rugby fraternity, particularly among those who played alongside him during his school, university and provincial rugby years.
As tributes continue to emerge, Naude is being remembered not only for his involvement in rugby but also for the personal impact he had on teammates and friends.
