SA Rugby pays tribute to Stofile

Stofile has died at the age of 71.

He became Minister of Sport and Recreation in 2004, a position he held until 2010.

Stofile was an accomplished scrumhalf at Newell High School in Port Elizabeth and captained the University of Fort Hare first XV at both scrumhalf and wing in his playing days.

In 1969 and 1970 he played for Border in inter-provincial tournaments as a hooker, he also coached at junior and club level.

He served rugby as a member of the Victoria East Rugby Union, the South Eastern District Rugby Union, and the pre-unity South African Rugby Union.

"I would like to pass on the condolences of the South African rugby community to the family and friends of the Makhenkesi Stofile," said Oregan Hoskins, President of SA Rugby.

"He made an invaluable contribution to the struggle through his work in the sporting arena.

He was a real rugby man, we have lost another hero of the struggle."