KP pays his respects to Clive Rice

Cape Town - Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen flew to South Africa to attend the funeral of the late Clive Rice.

Rice passed away last Tuesday after losing his battle with a brain tumour. He was 66.

The memorial service for Rice, the first post-isolation captain of the South African team, was held at St. John's College in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

One of Rice's most famous students, Kevin Pietersen, was in attendance. 

The Pietermaritzburg-born cricketer was one of several former international cricket stars to pay their respects to the late Rice.

Former South African opener Barry Richards and recently-retired Proteas' skipper Graeme Smith were also among those in attendance.

KP on Twitter:

Off to pay our respects to #CliveRice. @BARichards356 @GraemeSmith49 @barneygirnun #RIPChief pic.twitter.com/8LlUGVvVck

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) August 4, 2015

Bye, bye, Chief! x pic.twitter.com/JcJs5wacm0

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) August 4, 2015

Rice, who played county cricket at Nottinghamshire, played a pivotal role in Kevin Pietersen's decision to join his former county.

Pietersen left South Africa at 19 to further his career in England and went on to play 104 Test matches for his adopted country.