In sad news that came to light this week, Ghalieb Hendricks, a former SARU, Western Province, Boland, and Vineyards RFC player from Paarl passed away.
Described as “an absolute giant and a highly respected figure within the rugby community, especially in the Cape Malay rugby fraternity”, Hendricks received a heartfelt tribute from SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
“Ghalieb’s sporting achievements speak for themselves, but even more so, the person he was – humble, disciplined, deeply respected, devoted to his family and community, and a man of strong faith,” Alexander shared in a statement.
“He played with and against some of the biggest names in SARU in the days where many players were not afforded the opportunity to compete on equal footing.
“As we mourn the death of a former hero of South African rugby, we also extend our condolences to the family of Ghalieb, who was a beloved husband to Najmoenisa, father to Gadeeja, Hasheem, Baheejah and Firdous, grandfather, brother and uncle. We will never forget his exploits on the rugby field.
Condolences pour in for Western Province legend
Meanwhile, in a statement from Vineyards Rugby, the club described Hendricks as “Vineyards RFC’s greatest”.
“Ghalieb was more than just a part of our club. He was part of its history, its character and its heart,” a statement read.
“Generations of players, supporters and members will remember him not only for what he achieved, but for the person he was and the impact he had on those around him.
“Today, the entire Vineyards RFC family mourns the loss of one of our own. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Hendricks family, his loved ones, friends and everyone whose life he touched.”
Special memories
Family member Nugh Tyer also shared a special tribute.
“It is with immense sadness that I share that my uncle, Ghalieb Hendricks, passed away in the early hours of this morning.
“To our family, he was Uncle Ghalieb – a deeply loved husband, father of four, brother and uncle, a man of tremendous faith and a pillar within his community.
“But there will also be many within the South African rugby fraternity, particularly those who remember the great non-racial rugby era, who will know the name Ghalieb Hendricks.
“He was an outstanding fullback who represented Western Province, captained Western Province and represented South Africa through SARU during the 1980s – an era when apartheid prevented some of our country’s finest rugby players from receiving the Springbok recognition their talent deserved. Following unification, he was among those subsequently honoured with Springbok colours.
“Perhaps one of the greatest testimonies to his ability is that decades after his playing career ended, other accomplished players still named Ghalieb among the finest rugby players they had played with or against.
“But as proud as we are of that rugby legacy, those of us privileged to call him family knew an even greater man away from the rugby field.
“He was a deeply pious man, a wonderful husband and father, a man of his community, and an uncle whom my cousins and I looked up to enormously. He carried himself with humility and dignity.
“My mother, Aziza Tyer, his eldest sister, practically raised Ghalieb as the youngest son of the family. Their bond was extraordinarily close. She loved her little brother dearly, and he loved her tremendously. Today she, together with his wife, children, siblings and our entire extended family, mourns an enormous loss.
“South African rugby has lost one of the men from a remarkable generation whose contribution to the game deserves to be remembered.”
