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South African rugby community left in shock after fatal crash leaves 3 dead

By Tom Parker

The Border rugby community has been left in total shock today as two Swallows players and a Border Bulldog logistics manager were killed in a car collision this weekend.

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DispatchLIVE reported that Swallows captain Mzwandile Yalezo and player Onke Gqadushea were the victims of the collision which took place on Saturday evening. Border Bulldogs logistic manager Tyron Roberts has also been named, he was a member of the Swallows staff as well.

Two other individuals have also been injured in the vehicle, however the South African club has not released their names, saying that they were at this stage recovering.

In a statement, Border rugby said: “The three rugby enthusiasts and comrades died in a car accident on their way to King William’s Town from a rugby match in Nxarhuni.”

Earlier on Saturday, Mdantsane-based Swallows, who celebrate their 107th anniversary this year, had beaten Ocean Sweepers 24-16 to strengthen their lead atop the Border Super League log and take pole position in the race to qualify for the Gold Cup.

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The president of Border rugby, Phumlani Mkolo expressed his condolences, saying it was a very painful and difficult time for all at Border rugby.

“We are sad, but we think more for the parents. We wish that they derive strength from God… there is nothing we can do about but just pray to derive strength to go forward.”

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Mkolo declined to name the survivors out of regard for the families, saying: “They are out of danger, but I don’t have all the details.

This news comes only a week after a video surfaced online of Siya Kolisi singing “Siwele” with various members of the Border Bulldogs club.

The Border president went on to say a memorial service would take place this week but dates were yet to be confirmed.

SA Rugby President, Mr Mark Alexander, on Monday sent his condolences to the families, friends and team-mates of three members of the Swallows Rugby Football Club, who died in a motor vehicle accident in the Eastern Cape over the weekend.

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No further details of the accident were available.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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