Two Griffons rugby players were killed, and a further four injured in a car accident on Tuesday evening.
The players were about 40km outside Bloemfontein on their way back to Welkom when their minibus suffered a tyre blowout.
Griffons prop Nardus Wessels (21) and wing Ashley Mapisa (23) were killed in the accident and a further four players were injured – three of whom are in a “serious condition”. They are Andries Botha, Sandile India, Kurtlee van Vuuren and Cedric Mkhize.
Mkhize reportedly has serious back and neck injuries. He and Wessels were on loan to the Griffons from the Sharks for the season.
Dr Jan Marais, Griffons Rugby Union President told News24:
“They travel to Bloemfontein on Tuesdays to practise against Naka Drotské’s Free State Cheetahs and they were on their way back home when the tyre of their minibus burst and the vehicle overturned. We have no further details about the accident at this stage.”
This is terrible news – condolences to the families and I hope the injured players all make a quick and full recovery.
For all of those rugby fans out there
Pompies (Nardus Wessels) death is a great loss to our family and to rugby. We will miss him greatly for the wonderful person he was, for the laughter, jokes, the love and care. We will always love him
Thank you for all the support
This is truly tragic news. We are thinking of the families of all the players involved at this sad time. Sterkte.