Former Transvaal fullback Liaan Kirkham was killed in a car accident on Saturday night.
Kirkham, who played fullback for Transvaal in the 1980s, during one of the province's glittering periods under the captaincy of Jannie Breedt, was a stalwart of the team in that decade.
He played wing in the losing 1986 Currie Cup final against Western Province at Newlands, and fullback in the 1987 Currie Cup final against Northern Transvaal, at Ellis Park.
The latter match will always be remembered as "Naas Botha's" final.
Botha kicked all his team's points from four penalties and four drop-kicks to lead the Blue Bulls to a 24-18 win. Kirkham slotted two penalties and converted tries by wing Hempas Rademeyer and flyhalf Schalk Naude.
Kirkham made his Transvaal debut in 1980 and played until 1987.
He represented the rooibontes 71 times, scored 13 tries and amassed 204 points.
His daughter and son survive him.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.