SA Schoolboys Pay Beautiful Tribute to Fallen Rugby Teammate
As South Africans in SA, and around the world, grieve the passing of one the country’s legends – Joost van der Westhuizen, who died yesterday after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) – one of the many, many moving messages and tributes that caught our attention was that from a grieving father, who tragically […]
As South Africans in SA, and around the world, grieve the passing of one the country’s legends – Joost van der Westhuizen, who died yesterday after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) – one of the many, many moving messages and tributes that caught our attention was that from a grieving father, who tragically lost his own young rugby-playing son less than a week ago.
KwaZulu-Natal father, Brett Magree, wrote in a message on SAPeople’s facebook page: “RIP Joost… Legend. I have just lost my son Bryn, a rugby player at Westville Boys High school who died tragically from an aneurism last Wednesday.
“I always reminded him of your story about that day… ‘Everybody always talks about the kick but nobody ever talks about the pass’.
“It wasn’t about the glory… It was about the team. Thank you for the memories from a rugby mad family.”
Brett’s son, a Grade 11 student, passed away in the early hours of 02 February after suffering a brain aneurysm earlier in the day, whilst at gym, which doctors said had likely remained dormant for years (and was not caused by the exercise).
On Saturday, every Westville Boys High match was played in memory of Bryn Magree. The school uploaded moving photos (some seen on this page) and videos of a variety of sports teams… all paying their respects to Bryn.
His water polo coach said: “An emotional game today in memory of our fallen brother Bryn Magree… His absence in the team was really felt. Gone but never forgotten! We will dedicate the rest of our season to him – such a proud coach.”
The family is holding a private service this afternoon, and a public memorial service tomorrow at 12h30 at the school (which will be attended by Brett and Bryn’s mother Janine and brother Kian).
A public memorial will be held for former Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen on Friday, and those around the world who cannot attend are urged to wear their Springbok colours on Friday.
Joost’s World Cup teammate James Small told South African media that: “The biggest thing is how proud his children [Jordan and Kylie] can be of who their father was.
“That has to be the everlasting message here… I think his kids can be two of the proudest kids in this country and around the world to have Joost as their dad.”
Our thoughts are with Bryn Magree’s and Joost van der Westhuizen’s loved ones, and all those who have recently lost someone they love.
