Cape Town - Tjol Lategan, who played rugby for the Springboks from 1949 to 1953, passed away on Sunday 8th March, at age 89.
At the time of his passing he resided in a retirement home in White River.
Lategan, who was one of the oldest surviving Springboks, was best known for his centre pairing with Ryk van Schoor. Other team mates included Hennie Muller, Basil Kenyon and Hansie Brewis.
After his playing career he coached Eastern Province and was also a Springbok selector in the late 1960s. He remained a passionate supporter of the Springboks and proudly wore his blazer as often as he could.
Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant he spent most of his working career in the Eastern Cape, he retired in his birth town Stellenbosch where he was schooled at Paul Roos Gymnasium and studied at Stellenbosch University.
He is survived by his wife Trudie, three sons and a daughter, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Memorial services on dates still to be announced will be held in both Johannesburg and Stellenbosch.