The tragic death of Pedrie Wannenburg s hit his world so hard, as he was killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Texas after a high-speed police chase ended in sad circumstances.
Wannenburg played 20 Tests but was unlucky to miss out on the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.
Willem Strauss, president of Wannenburg’s former union, the Bulls, as well as the union confirmed it.
Loffie Eloff, a close confidante of the rugged flanker and a former Junior Springbok coach, too expressed his surprise.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told local television station KHOU-11 that a deputy attempted to pull over a 16-year-old suspect, but the automobile sped away, leading to a chase.
Former Springbok loose-forward Pedrie Wannenburg died in a car accident in Texas on Saturday, according to his former South African team, the Bulls.
Wannenburg was 41 years old at the time of death, as he made 20 appearances for the Boks between 2002 and 2007, coming close to making the World Cup-winning side in France. Before arriving in the United States in 2016, he played for the Irish team Ulster and the French club Castres.
According to local media, Wannenburg died when a 16-year-old motorist led police on a high-speed chase and crashed into the back of his car at an intersection. His wife and two children were in the vehicle with him, although they were not seriously hurt.
The flanker was the first player in Super Rugby history to play 100 games for the Bulls, and he won three titles with the Pretoria-based side in 2007, 2009, and 2010.
Pedrie Wannenburg married Evette at Ulster, and they had one daughter together, named Isabelle, before becoming a parent for the second time in 2013, to one boy, Pedrie.
Pedrie Wannenburg died tragically on April 22, 2022, when his car was struck while stopped at an intersection. Evette Wannenburg, Pedrie Wannenburg’s wife, and their children were all in the car at the time, but they all made it out alive.
Pedrie Wannenburg made his first test match for the Springboks against France in November 2002, however, he missed out on a spot in the triumphant South Africa team for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Wannenburg was pronounced dead at a local hospital Friday evening, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said early Saturday that his 8-year-old son was also hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Gonzalez said on Twitter that the 16-year-old motorist who hit Wannenburg’s car and two others have been charged with felony murder, reckless aggravated assault-serious bodily injury, and three counts of aggravated assault-bodily injury.
The identity of the adolescent has not been revealed. According to Gonzalez, the driver ran after police attempted to perform a traffic check. May his soul rest in peace.