11 July 2019

The African National Congress (ANC) Study Group on Sports, Arts and Culture, mourns the passing of Springbok legend James Small. Small was rushed to a Johannesburg hospital on Tuesday 9 July 2019, after suffering from a heart attack.

Small was born in Cape Town in 1969. He attended Johannesburg’s Greenside High School matriculating in 1987; in the same year he represented the then Transvaal Rugby Union (Golden Lions) at the annual youth rugby tournament, Craven Week. In 1988, Small continued in his rugby feats making a debut in the Currie Cup for the Golden Lions senior team at 19 years-old. His rugby career saw him represent and finding success with the then Natal Rugby Union (Sharks) and Cape Town side Western Province. He made his Springbok debut against New Zealand’s rugby union national team the All Blacks in 1992. Small went on to represent South Africa earning 47 test caps and scoring 20 tries, playing his last game for the Springboks against Scotland in 1997.

James Small will always be remembered for being part of the legendary Springbok team that united our nation, when the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup after beating the All Blacks in the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final at Ellis Park. The ANC Study Group on Sports, Arts and Culture sends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the rugby fraternity.

Issued by ANC Study Group on Sports, Arts and Culture Whip, comrade Nocks Seabi.

Enquiries:

Andile Mdleleni
0826941232