Rugby player dies from head injuries in second tragedy to hit Dale

“We received news this morning that he had sadly passed away.

“We are devastated. We are all here and we are still waiting for other family members to decide a way forward.

“He loved rugby from way back when he used to play for his former school in Graaff Reinet.

“He would always talk about how he wanted to make his mother proud. He loved rugby so much and wanted to pursue sport in tertiary education.

“The way he died is sad. It has left us with unanswered questions. We are saddened by his passing, more especially his mother.

“He was a child. He wore a head protective cover while playing. He had all the protective gear and what is puzzling us is how this happened,” an emotional Thimla said.

Teyise was described as a rugby enthusiast and a disciplined and quiet child.

“We did not expect he would die like this. We will miss him for his humbleness and respect.

“He was a brilliant and collected child who possessed many dynamics. He had big plans for his rugby career.

“We have suffered a huge blow as the family,” Thimla said.

According to the school, Liyabona lost consciousness briefly, “but walked off the field himself where he was attended to”.

“He later collapsed and was rushed to hospital as soon as possible.

“It should be stated that the field-side care was exemplary, led by a professional practitioner in the medical sciences.

“Liyabona was assisted with oxygen when he had a fit and it appeared that he was having trouble breathing.

“These fits suggest that bleeding on the brain was happening immediately following the contact.

“He was assessed with a CT scan which showed extensive bleeding on the brain. It has been confirmed that he passed away during the night.

“Liyabona is remembered as a well-behaved, polite and diligent learner.

“He conducted himself thoughtfully and with a reserved humility. He will be missed by all who knew him.

“Our prayers are with his family and the entire Dale College community in this time of loss.”

Messages of condolences have been pouring in since the news of Teyise’s death broke on Sunday.

His former alma mater, Union High School in Graaff Reinet, extended its “deepest condolences to the Teyise family and the Dale College Boys’ high school community on the sudden passing of Teyise”.

In a statement, the school said Liyabona was a pupil at the school until the end of his grade 9 year in 2019.

“Liyabona is still fondly remembered by the Union High School community and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.”

Eastern Cape sports MEC Fezeka Nkomonye’s spokesperson, Busisiwe Jemsana-Mantashe, said: “Dale is one of our sport focus schools in the province and it is beyond tragic that in a space of less than a week we have lost two of the most talented and promising rugby players from the school.

“We would  like to send our heartfelt condolences to the families, the Dale community and the province at large.

“These are young black players that would have contributed a big deal in the transformation of rugby in the country.

“No parent should have to lose their child this tragically and suddenly.

“May God give them the strength to hold on to the beautiful memories they shared with them while they were still alive.”

Attempts to get comment from South African Rugby Union were unsuccessful at the time of writing on Sunday.

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