SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has paid tribute to Temba Ludwaba, a former national lock and prominent figure in the non-racial rugby movement, who passed away this week at the age of 80.
Born in Cradock on 15 July 1945, Ludwaba came from a rugby family — his father Joe and uncle Abe both represented Spring Rose RFC in Cradock — before the family relocated to New Brighton in Gqeberha, where he attended Pendle Primary and Cowan High School and continued playing for Spring Rose.
Ludwaba first represented the South African African Rugby Board (SAARB) in the late 1960s, and went on to become a cornerstone of the Kwazakheli Rugby Union (KWARU), which operated out of the Gqeberha townships. He was part of a KWARU side that reached the SA Cup final in 1972, where he landed a penalty goal in a narrow defeat to Western Province, playing alongside the likes of Bomsa Nkohla, Wallace Xotyeni, Norman Mbiko, Peter Mkatha and Wilfred Kovu.
His performances in KWARU colours earned him Test selection for the SARU national team in the 1970s, where he packed down at lock alongside two iconic SARU captains, Peter Jooste and Salie Fredericks.
After his playing career, Ludwaba served Eastern Province rugby for nearly two decades as a development officer, and also coordinated coaching and recruitment for the Nelson Mandela Bay Youth Rugby Zone programme in New Brighton across the U12 to U16 age groups.
"Amiable, talented and selfless, Temba embodied the spirit of our game by putting his people and his country before himself," said Alexander. "His sacrifices, alongside those of other pioneers, paved the way for generations of Springboks to wear our national colours with pride and purpose. Every aspiring and current Springbok should remember that it was through the dedication of legends like Temba Ludwaba that they enjoy the privilege of representing South Africa today."