SA Rugby President Mark Alexander has expressed condolences following the death of former South African Rugby Football Federation player Christie Noble, who passed away in the early hours of Friday morning after a short illness. He was 63.
Noble represented Western Province, WP Liga, Eastern Province and Natal during a distinguished playing career on the wing, and was part of the 1990 Natal squad that claimed the Currie Cup in the union's centenary year — the first time Natal had won the trophy. He was the only black player in that Natal side.
After retiring, Noble served as an assistant coach to the inaugural Springbok Women's team in 2004. His older brother John also played for the Proteas of the SARFF, and his nephew JP Pietersen — now head coach of the Hollywoodbets Sharks — went on to represent the Springboks.
"The Noble family have left an indelible mark in rugby in South Africa, and Christie's achievements in our game were particularly significant in an era when opportunities in South African rugby were far from equal," Alexander said.
"Players like Christie helped lay the foundations for the inclusive game we continue to build today. Their contribution went beyond the results on the scoreboard — they helped create opportunities and inspire future generations to believe that they, too, could reach the highest levels of rugby."