South African mountain biking champion Burry Stander has been killed while practicing, reports indicate. Stander was apparently killed after being hit by a taxi. News of Stander’s death broke on social networking site, Twitter, on Thursday. Cycle Lab Cape Town, a leading cycling retailer in South Africa, confirmed the news.
South African cricket has been rocked by the news of the murder on Wednesday night of former Western Province Cricket Union cricketer, John E. Commins, who played 10 matches for the Western Province between 1961 and 1968. A leg-spinner, he took 27 first-class wickets at an average of 27.77 with a best bowling performance of 5-32.
He was 71 years old. Commins was the youngest brother of former Western Province CEO Kevin Commins and uncle of John Commins who represented the Proteas in the 1990s. Western Province Cricket Union President Beresford Williams expressed ‘shock and horror’ at his passing and extended the condolences of the entire cricket family in South Africa to his family. The flags at Newlands for the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand have been lowered in tribute to him.
Terribly sad news about them both. Stander was in his prime, having represented SA so well in the Olympics, his is an especially sad loss. Yet again, the word taxi rears it’s ugly head. It really is time that these taxi drivers/bosses got a wake up call.
As for Commins being murdered, isn’t it funny, how we have hardened ourselves to this sick wave that has swept our once great country. It is almost as if it has just become a part of our daily routine. India have it right, we should do the same.
RIP Burry and John
What can one say? I doubt there is anyone in South Africa who has not been directly affected by violent crime.
It’s not going to change in a hurry I’m afraid.
I see that Sky Sports are reporting that South African Hendre Fourie, who recently made his England debut has had to retire from Rugby due to a recurring shoulder injury.
This is so sad, and it angers me to such a degree that I wont even comment further on the subject, It may just offend some.
I will however spare thoughts in prayers for Burry And John, and I pray that God gives their friends and family the strength they need to get through this time of sadness
Very sad to read this, felt gutted actually. What a massive loss to our sport and of course losing a life so young is truly sad. He was world class and like I said on the other thread, had he got a good start at the Olympics who knows he may have picked up a medal. He came from behind and chased so well, had a gutsy ride to take the lead for some time but feel the chase tired him. Was hoping to see more of this young lad competing on the big stage.
Our thoughts and prayers are with this family who will be devastated. To lose someone so young is cruel and his family’s pain must be unbelievable. I feel for all of them.
RIP Burry
Sad to read about Commins as well. Terrible to lose a life like that, when one just snacthes it away from you.
Thoughts and prayers to his family.
RIP John
Man it angers me no end reading it was a taxi that took Burry’s life. Something surely has to be done about the taxi’s in this country. They cause more road deaths with accidents than any other. Appalling that nothing gets done about it. Just yesterday one just pulled out in front of me from no where and I almost went over the edge. Lucky not and eventually my car came to a stop. Damn it man, how many more must get killed on our roads by their disrespect to other drivers?
Also Commins getting murdered at the age of 71. Crickey man, when will it stop in this country? When will we EVER see law and order here?
Both Burry and Commins losing their lives the way they did leaves me angry.
@ Puma:
you will never see law again in this country Pooms, as I said earlier I don’t want to really go into depth about this issue as it will Offend some.
Ask yourself 1 question though? “why was a system like Apartheid ever implemented in this country?”
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