Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Basil Bey, a well-known schools and club rugby coach, passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday.
Bey was a popular coach at Cape Town school, Bishops, where he coached the first XV from 1972 until 1998.
He played rugby for the University of Cape Town and also coached the team in later years.
He also coached the False Bay club and guided them to the Western Province Grand Challenge in 1972. Remarkably, False Bay only repeated this feat this year when they became Western Province champions.
Bey was also a Western Province senior selector and coached the Western Province Craven Week team.
Bishops paid tribute to Bey via their official Facebook rugby page on Thursday, posting:
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of a school boy rugby icon and Bishops legend.
Basil Bey, passed away this morning.
Our thoughts and prayers to Martin, Michelle and family at this time.
"You don't coach, you encourage" - Basil Bey
False Bay also shared their condolences via their Facebook page:
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of a rugby icon.
Basil Bey, player and coach of the victorious 1972 False Bay Grand Challenge team, passed away suddenly this morning.
Few men have had as great an impact on lives, young and old as well as this great game of rugby, as has Basil.
Our thoughts are with Martin and Michelle in these trying times.
Rest in Peace Basil.
