Tinus Linee
Former Springbok and Western Province centre Tinus Linee, who was suffering from Motor Neuron Disease (MND), passed away at the age of 45 on Monday morning.
Linee was diagnosed with MND in 2013. It is the same disease former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen suffers from.
The former WP centre played nine tour games for the Springboks between 1993 and 1994 but was never capped in a Test.
Van der Westhuizen paid tribute to Linee via his official twitter account on Monday.
According to his Wikipedia page Linee made his debut for Western Province in 1992 and played 112 games for the province until his retirement in 2001.
Renowned as a hard-hitting centre he was a regular starter in the centres for Western Province. In 2001, current Springbok captain Jean de Villiers made his Western Province debut alongside Tinus Linee.
On 14 October 1995 Linee played in his first Currie Cup final, against the Natal Sharks at Kings Park Stadium in Durban. Linee played alongside Springbok and Western Province legends such as Pieter Rossouw, Chester Williams, Justin Swart, Joel Stransky and Tiaan Strauss as well as French legend Laurent Cabannes. The Sharks won the game 25-17.
Linee was also part of the Western Province squad when they won Currie Cup titles in 1997, 2000 and 2001.
A great player, one of the hardest tacklers of his era, and a tragic loss to his family and those who knew him. RIP
RIP, Tinus
I can only echo the above sentiments – Rest in Peace Thinus. The only positive is the fact that his suffering is gone.
Condolences to the family
Rest in peace, Tinus!
Something that was posted in May 2013
Oh no….man, this so sad…not a good way to start my week.
Last time I saw him was at that SuperSport live broadcast, 2006 at Gimmies in Paarl, with Turkey Shields. Now they are both gone…
RIP Thinus, thank you for the memories, you will always be remembered as a rugby legend in the Drakenstein valley, well played brother.
Pak defeats AUS by 356 runs & takes the series 2-0
Pakistan now #3 in the world
@ Angostura: That’s a big victory.
@ Stormersboy:
Pakistan’s biggest victory margin (i.t.o. runs) in its entire cricketing history …
Really sad news this, heart goes out to Thinus Linee’s family who have lost a loved man far too early. Can only hope and dream of a day (however far in the future) a cure will be found for this terrible MND.
5 @ charlesm:
Hi charlesm, a very moving clip, still such a young couple, thanks for posting.
Sad loss to a young man RIP Tinus.
No words!
@ Bullscot:
Yes Bully – to pass away at the age of 45 is really sad
RIP Tinus.
And condolences to his family & friends.
This is very sad news.
RIP Tinus.
Meegevoel aan die Linee familie.
Alle meegevoel en simpatie aan die familie van Tienie. Mag jou siel in vrede rus.
Wie sal ooit die tekkel kan vergeet waarmee hy vir Pieter Muller(?) geplettervat het tydens die Craven Week in 1989. Chester kon die bal rustig optel en sy drie gaan druk, nadat dit uit Muller se hande gespat het. Die Grey/OVS boys was daarna nie te gretig om in Tienie se rigting met die bal te hardloop nie.
Dit was die toernooi waartydens Tienie en Chester hulself aangekondig het as ‘n senterpaar vir die Federasie Craven Week-span. Albei sou later Bokke word.
Sad to hear
Condolences to family and friends
RIP Tinus.
Sad news indeed. RIP Tinus. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
RIP
Very sad news
R.I.P. Tinus
Thoughts and prayers to his family, hopefully he is now free.
Sad start to the week.
Will always be remembered as a fierce tackler. When you got tackled by him, you stayed tackled.
RIP Tinus
@ IAAS:
Yes indeed IAAS
When he started playing for Western Province in the 1990s, he was still an unknown player when they toured Australia (’92 or ’93).
A friend who played for WP at the time once told me that Thinus almost “terrorized” the Queensland (and Australian) pair of centres, Tim Horan and Jason Little. Whenever one of them received the ball, Thinus tackled them to “pieces” – they weren’t too keen on running with the ball during that game !!
@ Pietman: Ja Piet. Gives meaning to that old phrase: “only the good die young”. Loved watching this man play(especially in defence). 112 games is a bucket full of games to have played for one’s province. More especially(few would argue) for one of the historic greatest rugby clubs on the planet. Thanks Tinus. RIP.
@ charlesm: and what a centre pairing that was Charles, once they got going.
For Thinus to be struck down when so young, is a tragedy for the man and for all who loved him.
For those of us who are lucky enough to be fit and well………………………..we should never take our health for granted.
R.I.P. Thinus and God Bless.
RIP Tinus and may those around you be blessed in this difficult time
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