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Corrie: Sports stars tweet grief

Cape Town - South African sports personalities have taken to Twitter to express their sympathy and outrage over the fatal shooting of heavyweight boxing legend Corrie Sanders.

The Pretoria-born former WBO champion, 47, died in hospital after being shot during an armed robbery at a restaurant in Brits on Saturday.

One of the strongest reactions came from former Proteas cricketer Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru): “Another gutless killing ... RIP Corrie Sanders. Great memories chom. Time for death penalty to be instated! F**k this sh*t. #wakeupzuma.”

Current SA all-rounder Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) said: “Shocking! The guy who shot (batsman) Louis Vorster got released on bail last week! How does that work? RIP Corrie Sanders.”

The Proteas’ respective captains in Test and one-day cricket, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers, also joined the tributes.

Smith (@GraemeSmith49) said: “Our thoughts with Corrie Sanders’ friends and family! RIP Corrie” whilst De Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) added: “Shocking news about Corrie Sanders’ death. Gonna miss u Corras.”

SA and Titans batsman Faf du Plessis (@faf1307) said: “RIP Corrie Sanders ... was a good man. Knew him since primary school days. #shockingnews.”

SuperSport critic and former Proteas batsman HD Ackerman (@ackershd) wrote: “Please, please, please put an end to all this crime, it is destroying our country. RIP Corrie Sanders.”

Fellow pundit Jeremy Fredericks (@rhinocricket) also weighed in with: “I am so shocked. RIP Corrie Sanders. When will the violence stop in this country?”

The rugby community’s response was just as prolific.

“I think it’s time people in SA said enough is enough on violent crime & start taking on the government. Nothing will change if people sit back,” said former Springbok wing flier Tonderai Chavhanga (@TondiChavhanga).

Currently injured Bok wing JP Pietersen (@jppietersen14) wrote: “Totally shocked about the news of Corrie Sanders. True legend of boxing. RIP.”

Former Bulls and Springbok hooker Gary Botha (@gvgbotha2) said: “RIP Corrie Sanders. Great man, great legend. Thought and prayers to his loved ones.”

Present Bulls and national team representatives Morne Steyn and Pierre Spies also expressed Twitter condolences.

SuperSport communications chief and long-time boxing writer and enthusiast Clinton van der Berg (@ClintonV) made a pertinent boxing point: “His 2003 KO of Wladimir Klitschko ranks as one of the greatest upsets in heavyweight history. RIP ‘Sniper’.”

*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
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