Stofile mourned by rugby fraternity

Saru president Oregan Hoskins has issued a statement mourning the passing of Mike Stofile.

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Cape Town – The SA Rugby Union (Saru) on Sunday expressed its sympathies to the family of the organisation’s former deputy, president Mike Stofile, after hearing of his passing.

In it, Saru president Oregan Hoskins said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt today (on Sunday) of the passing of Mike Stofile, a former deputy president of Saru.

“I contacted him recently to tell him he was my brother and that he was in my heart. Mike was a proud man who had clear views on rugby and sport and he unflinchingly stood for what he believed in his time at Saru.

“He was vice-president for two years and deputy president for a further two until 2008 after holding the presidency of the Border Rugby Union.

“He publicly fought with his own president of the time, Brian van Rooyen, when he believed the game was being led astray but there were good times as well and I remember celebrating winning the Rugby World Cup with him in Paris in 2007.

“His insights were instructive and his voice always heeded. He made his mark. His family has my deepest sympathies.”

– ANA