Oud-Bokbreier sterf

Ian McIntosh. Foto: Twitter/Johan Ras.

“Dit is waarlik ʼn hartseer dag.”

Só sê Kobus Wiese in sy huldeblyk nadat die legendariese Haaie- en Springbokafrigter, Ian McIntosh, vroeg Woensdagoggend oorlede is.

Volgens berigte is hy vroeër met kanker gediagnoseer. Hy was 84 jaar oud ten tye van sy dood.

McIntosh, wat in Zimbabwe grootgeword het, was in 1993 en 1994 aan die stuur van die Springbokke in 12 toetse en het onder meer met oorwinnings teen die Wallabies in Sydney en teen Engeland in Kaapstad gespog. Sy Bokspan het ook met 18-elk gelykop teen die All Blacks in Auckland gespeel.

Maar dit was veral in Durban waar hy legendestatus geniet het en hy het die Haaie aansienlik meer byt in die 1990’s gegee.

Hy het die Curriebeker vier keer saam met die span – in 1990, 1992, 1995 en 1996 gewen – terwyl Kingspark se hoofingang na hom vernoem is.

Wiese meen dat McIntosh nie net ʼn reuse-invloed op rugby gehad het nie, maar ook op die lewe van baie mense.

“Sy passie en toewyding was legendaries. Mooi loop, Uncle, mag jy in vrede rus,” het die voormalige Springbokslot op Twitter gesê.

Ian Mcintosh has passed away, a truly sad day????Fewer men has left such an impact through the great game of rugby on so many lives. His passion and commitment to the game was legendary. Mooi loop Uncle, may you rest on Peace????????????

— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) April 5, 2023

Op sy beurt het Bryan Habana gesê dat McIntosh ʼn merkwaardige man, mentor en afrigter was.

“Hy het ʼn buitengewone passie vir die spel gehad, terwyl sy lewenslustigheid en humor ʼn positiewe invloed op almal gehad het wat bevoorreg was om hom te ontmoet,” het die voormalige Bokblits in sy huldeblyk geskryf.

RIP Master ????????

Mr Ian Mac was a truly remarkable man, mentor, coach, husband, father and human being ????

His passion and dedication to the game of the rugby was beyond measure!!

His love for life and humour made a positive impact to all those who got the privilege to meet him.… pic.twitter.com/wI4QaPNf3u

— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) April 5, 2023

Volgens Swys de Bruin, oudafrigter van die Lions, het hy ongelooflik baie by McIntosh geleer, terwyl John Smit hom as “ʼn ware legende” bestempel het.

Die kommentator en joernalis Any Capostagno het die rugbyman se lewe perfek opgesom.

“Hy was ʼn persoon van aansien en selfs ʼn groter rugbypersoonlikheid. Rus in vrede.”

• McIntosh se afrigtersrekord saam met die Springbokke (Suid-Afrika se telling eerste):

26 Junie 1993: 20–20 teen Frankryk in Durban

3 Julie 1993: 17–18 teen Frankryk in Johannesburg

31 Julie 1993: 19–12 teen Australië in Sydney

14 Augustus 1993: 20–28 teen Australië in Brisbane

6 November 1993: 29–26 teen Argentinië in Buenos Aires

13 November 1993: 52–23 teen Argentinië in Buenos Aires

4 Junie 1994: 32–15 teen Engeland in Pretoria

11 Junie 1994: 27–9 teen Engeland in Kaapstad

9 Julie 1994: 14–22 teen Nieu-Seeland in Dunedin

23 Julie 1994: 9–13 teen Nieu-Seeland in Wellington

6 Augustus 1994: 18–18 teen Nieu-Seeland in Auckland

RIP ???? ????️???? “Be still for a minute as sadly a legend has passed… Go well Ian MAC McIntosh – a proper human being, servant of the game, and excellent @Springboks rugby ???? coach… Respected by all!!! ???? #IanMcIntosh pic.twitter.com/wAcRnxHPDx

— Dave Nosworthy (@DONCRICKET) April 5, 2023

The man who called everyone 'Master' has left us on the eve of The Masters. When I persuaded Supersport to honour Mac with a documentary on his life, I had no idea how close he was to the end. To a great man and an even greater man of rugby, RIP

— Andy Capostagno (@andycapostagno) April 5, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ian McIntosh – a great man of rugby who gave back so much and worked tirelessly to promote the game of rugby. #RIP Master. Our love and thoughts are with his wife Rhona and the McIntosh family.We are going to miss you. pic.twitter.com/8SuKDLApsi

— SA Rugby Legends (@SARugbyLegends) April 5, 2023