The South African rugby community was left shocked at the news of the passing of one the country's most iconic rugby figures, Louis Luyt.
The sometimes controversial former player, rugby administrator, newspaper proprietor, businessman and politician passed away at home in Ballito, north of Durban, after a long period of illness.
'Doc Luyt' was intimately involved with talks with the then banned African National Congress (ANC) to bring about rugby unity in South Africa. He was also the key figure in negotiations that ensured national federations retained control of rugby when the game went professional at the end of 1995.
But he also earned criticism for some outspoken statements and decisions. His determination to legally contest the government's right to appoint a commission of inquiry into rugby in 1998 led to President Nelson Mandela appearing in the witness box for five hours as a defence witness.
The court action was successful but Luyt's rugby colleagues passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership, which led to his resignation.
"Doc Luyt was a single-minded and determined individual who dominated rugby politics following the death of Doc Craven," said Oregan Hoskins, the president of SARU. "On behalf of SARU I would like to send rugby's condolences to his family and friends."
Dr Luyt organised South Africa's successful hosting of the nation-building 1995 Rugby World Cup and ensured that the national unions retained control of the game when it turned professional. In his time as president of the old Transvaal Rugby Union he turned it onto one of the richest and most powerful rugby organisations in the world.
His single-mindedness and determination to defend what he thought was right led him into controversy on many occasions and he was not concerned that he was far from being universally popular, both within rugby and without.
If, for nothing else, he will be remembered for being the man who brought the 1995 Rugby World Cup to South Africa, creating an occasion that showed the country what it could achieve in unity.
Louis Luyt was born in Britstown in the Karoo on 18 June 1932 and, as a player, represented Free State as a lock. He founded his own fertiliser business before moving into brewing and newspapers.
He rose to prominence as a rugby administrator through the Transvaal Rugby Union became president of South African rugby in March 1994.
Following his resignation in May 1998 he went into politics, winning election to the South African parliament as leader of his self-styled Federal Alliance.
He leaves behind his wife, Adri, and four children.
Comments
new_j4a says...
@rugby_rockstar, Oh really? Well here's a quote about Nelson Mandela's view of Luyt in 1998: "Before taking the witness stand at Pretoria High Court, President Mandela said his blood boiled at being forced into the chamber by the controversial Dr Luyt to be grilled about his decision to set up a commission to investigate alleged racism, graft and nepotism in rugby, the game Dr Luyt has been accused of operating like a personal fiefdom."
@PR Ed, This is about rugby!
Posted 12:28 10th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
new_j4a,
I'm glad Nelson Mandela doesn't agree with your views.
Posted 10:07 08th February 2013
undecided says...
@new_j4a...unbelievable! Rather keep that rubbish to yourself!
Posted 11:00 07th February 2013
new_j4a says...
An ugly remnant of the Apartheid era.....good to see that they are slowly dying out....South African Rugby is fantastic and a long way from what he and that Craven bastard wanted.
Posted 17:46 05th February 2013
noord_transvaal says...
Another giant falls.. RIP Louis. Never again will S.A. Rugby see the likes of him and doc Craven
Posted 07:59 02nd February 2013
philipjfry says...
It's sad to think that his lasting legacy may not be the significant role he played in the professionalization of rugby or the success of the WC in '95 but rather the Derek Bevan watch fiasco.
Posted 23:00 01st February 2013
BananaBok says...
Condolences to his family and friends, a man who was never afraid to stand by his beliefs and a true fan of rugby. RIP.
Posted 14:45 01st February 2013
Rugby_rockstar says...
From an overseas point of view I recall reading about him and his struggle to keep the Springbok name. For that alone I think the rugby world owes him a nod of appreciation. Yep, iconic is a good word for him Planet Rugby.
Posted 13:46 01st February 2013