South African rugby star, 41, killed in horror car crash

An ex-South African rugby star who played 20 Tests for his country has been killed in a shocking car crash in America.

Former South African rugby star Pedrie Wannenburg, who died after a multi-vehicle crash in Texas this weekend, was a “gentle giant”, a family friend said when confirming the tragedy.

Wannenburg, capped 20 times by the Springboks as a loose forward, reportedly died in Austin after a vehicle fleeing police crashed into the back of one driven by the 41-year-old South African.

An Austin police spokesman said a 16-year-old suspect, who had ignored a call to pull over, fled and struck the back of the vehicle driven by Wannenburg at an intersection.

“Hard as nails on the field and soft as jelly off it. A gentle giant,” Wannenburg’s Pretoria-based friend, who requested anonymity, told AFP.

“Words fail me. I am battling to accept that Pedrie is no longer among us.

“He was a lekker oke (good guy) who loved his family, his friends and rugby. He did not deserve to die so young and in such terrible circumstances.”

Wannenburg and his son, Francois, were flown to hospital where the former Springbok succumbed to his injuries. His son is recovering while his wife and daughter, Isabelle, escaped serious injury.

“If there is a silver lining on this dark occasion it is that the rest of the family escaped death,” said the friend, who knew Wannenburg from his high school days.

Pedrie Wannenburg played 20 Tests for South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

As reported by the New York Post, Harris County Sheriff’s Office said a driver involved in the crash struck three vehicles, and a fourth that could not stop in time also collided with the scene. In total six people were hospitalised, according to the local fire department.

The sheriff’s deputy who chased the teenage suspect is “still talking to the DA’s office” about the circumstances of the pursuit, Major Quincey Whitaker of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The sheriff’s office said the teen has been charged with felony murder, reckless aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and aggravated assault causing bodily injury.

There were horror scenes after the smash. Photo: Cy-Fair Fire Department/Facebook

A suspect has been charged. Photo: Cy-Fair Fire Department/Facebook

Eugene Eloff, a former coach of the Johannesburg-based Lions franchise, said on Facebook: “I am shattered. I have no words. Just heard that my friend Pedrie Wannenburg passed away in a car accident.

“Devastating news. RIP wonderful man. You will be missed so much. My heart goes out to Evette (his wife) and the kids. Keeping you in my heart and prayers.”

Former Ulster teammate Dan Tuohy told the BBC “Pedrie was ever-so talented and when he turned it on, wow, he could really play. He just read the game really well”.

The 196cm forward joined the Pretoria-based Bulls franchise in 2001 and later lined up for Ulster, Castres and Oyonnax, before moving to America and representing Denver Stampede and Austin Elite.

Wannenburg has tragically died. Photo: Facebook.

His wife was also in the car but survived. Photo: Facebook.

Born in the northeastern city of Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), Wannenburg made 99 consecutive appearances for the Bulls and played for the Springboks between 2002 and 2007.

He was considered unlucky not to have made the 2007 Springboks Rugby World Cup squad that went on to beat England in the final in Paris.

He moved to the United States six years ago and was working in the refrigeration industry and coaching the West Houston Lions.

Originally published as South African rugby star, 41, killed in horror car crash