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Cape Town - Legendary former Springbok forward Frik du Preez was admitted to hospital after suffering a ‘massive heart attack’, Netwerk24 reports.
The Afrikaans website is reporting that Du Preez was admitted to hospital on Thursday after suffering a heart attack while participating in a golf day for former rugby players at the Leriba Lodge in Centurion.
According to his wife, Bes, Du Preez is doing well under the circumstances.
He is expected to be discharged soon, but will have to return in six weeks’ time for a routine follow-up.
Du Preez, 81, had recently recovered from a cancer scare.
Sport24 reported in February last year that a malignant tumour was detected in Du Preez’s colon.
The Northern Transvaal legend, who was named South Africa’s rugby player of the 20th century, played 38 Tests for the Springboks.
Du Preez made his Test debut for the Springboks in 1961 in the flank position against England at Twickenham, before playing his last Test at the age of 35 as a lock against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1971.
Du Preez was an excellent all-round footballer and one of the few forwards able to kick at goal.
At 6 ft 2 inches (1.88m), he was not particularly tall for a lock, but was a tower of strength in the lineout.
In addition he had a fantastic turn of speed and fine running skills with ball in hand, as displayed in the famous try he scored against the British and Irish Lions at Loftus Versfeld in 1968, when he broke off a lineout to sprint almost half the field to dot down.
