Flanker Ruben Kruger, one of the Springbok stars who won the rugby World Cup in 1995, has died at age 39 after a decade-long battle with cancer, the South African Rugby Union said yesterday.
Kruger was named player of the year in 1995, when a newly democratic South Africa won the World Cup on home soil.
He debuted for the Free State in 1993, the same year he won the first of his 36 Springbok caps against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
He joined Northern Transvaal (now the Blue Bulls) in 1994, and only retired because of knee injuries after the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
He played 36 Tests and 20 tour matches for the Springboks, and scored seven tries in Tests — most famously against France in the 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final in Durban.
“Ruben Kruger was the epitome of the Springbok flanker: tough, indomitable and with an outstanding work ethic,” said Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union. “When Ruben was on the field, you always knew that the Springboks would not be beaten without a tremendous battle.”
“Our prayers have been with him through his battles against illness and it is very sad to hear of his early passing. Our thoughts are with his young family and we extend to them our sincerest condolences,” he said.
In Clint Eastwood’s film Invictus, about the 1995 World Cup and Nelson Mandela, Kruger was played by actor Grant Roberts.
He is survived by his wife and two young daughters.
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