Rugby: Former Springboks flanker Pedrie Wannenburg killed in car crash in US

Former  Springboks flanker Pedrie Wannenburg playing for Ulster during a Heineken Cup match.
Former Springboks flanker Pedrie Wannenburg playing for Ulster during a Heineken Cup match. Photo credit: Getty Images

Former Springbok loose-forward Pedrie Wannenburg has been killed in a car accident in Texas, his former South African franchise the Bulls said on Saturday (local time).

Wannenburg, 41, played 20 times for the Boks between 2002 and 2007, and was close to being selected for the World Cup-winning squad in France.

He also turned out for Irish side Ulster and French club Castres before settling in the United States in 2016.

He died when a 16-year-old driver led police on a high-speed chase and crashed into the back of Wannenburg’s car at an intersection, according to local media.

His wife and two children were in the vehicle with him but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

The flanker was the first to play 100 matches for the Bulls in Super Rugby and won three titles with the Pretoria-based side in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Reuters