Bok legends pay final respects to Clifford Etzebeth

Cape Town - Former Springboks on Monday paid their last respects to ex-Western Province rugby player and renowned wrestler Clifford ‘Cliffie’ Etzebeth, who died earlier this month.

According to Netwerk24, around 1 400 people attended Etzebeth’s funeral service at the Friends of God (AGS) Church in Goodwood.

Etzebeth, 69, died on Sunday, July 22 of a heart attack while driving his bakkie on the R300 outside Cape Town. The vehicle subsequently rolled and landed on its head on a grass embankment.

Among the pall-bearers were legendary former Springboks Morne du Plessis and HO de Villiers, members of the Villager club where Etzebeth played.

Etzebeth played as a lock and prop for Western Province in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He was also a prominent wrestler and won world titles in the over 60s categories.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, who is Clifford Etzebeth's nephew, was also in attendance.

'Cliffie' was a legendary figure on the Western Province club rugby scene and also represented Police and Goodwood.