Bulls statement: Alleged murder case involving player

The Blue Bulls Rugby Union have released a statement regarding an alleged charge of murder levelled at a player who represented one of the union's lower-tier sides.

A statement from the Bulls reads: "Owing to social media messaging, the Blue Bulls Rugby Union has been made aware of an alleged murder case involving a young rugby player who represented the Blue Bulls Country Districts during the 2022 season.

"Whilst we do not know all the details pertaining to the incident, we wish to reiterate that the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, its affiliates, partners and members, continue to stand in one voice, condemning all forms of gender-based violence in the strongest of terms."

It's not the first murder case involving a Bulls player. In 2014 Joseph Ntshongwana was sentenced to five life terms for four murders and a rape.

Prior to that in 2010, prop Bees Roux beat police officer Sergeant Ntshimane Johannes Mogale to death. He was charged with murder but was ultimately found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide. He was given a five-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay his victim's wife 750,000 South African Rand (£36,000).

Willem Strauss, President of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union conveys a heartfelt message of condolences to the family of the young woman whose life has been untimely cut short.

“I would like to send my heartfelt message of condolences to a family whose world has been turned upside down. A family who lose a branch from their tree that was filled with so much promise of all that is good about life,”

“As a parent and grandparent, I cannot imagine the amount of pain and sorrow that fills your hearts at this very moment, a pain that is likely to linger for a long while because the void of losing a loved one is never easy, more especially when it is your child,”

“We raise our children to see them rise and blossom into these incredible beings full of potential to change our world and when their lives are cut short, we are never the same because we live in the empty wonder of what could have been. I hope and pray that as a family, God’s love will bring you all the comfort you need in this terrible hour,”

“South Africa continues to bleed and that bleeding can only be stopped once our women, children and the vulnerable can be assured of their safety. A basic right that seems to be diminishing in value, every day,”

“As a father, I continue to urge and appeal to other parents out there, that we are more intentional with our children as we look to educate, empower and equip them with the necessary life skills that encourage them to learn and deal with their emotions better and more responsibly. Perhaps - I do so today - with more urgency than yesterday because one more young woman has lost her life and that should have never been the case.”

The statement concluded by saying: "Due to the nature of the matter, the Union and the clubs cannot make any further comments at this stage and do wish that the family will find comfort in the hands of justice."