RIP | Former ‘rugby man’ Mlule

MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA – 24 November 2005, Leonard Chuene, President of Athletic South Africa, congratulates Mluleki George after George received the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award during the SABC Sports Awards at the Theatre on Track, Kyalami, Midrand, South Africa.
Photo Credit : ©Gallo Images

RIP | Former ‘rugby man’ Mluleki George dies of Covid-19

Former International Rugby Board (IRB) and South African Rugby Union (SARU) board member Mluleki George has died.

RIP | Former ‘rugby man’ Mlule

MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA – 24 November 2005, Leonard Chuene, President of Athletic South Africa, congratulates Mluleki George after George received the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award during the SABC Sports Awards at the Theatre on Track, Kyalami, Midrand, South Africa.
Photo Credit : ©Gallo Images

Former International Rugby Board (IRB) and South African Rugby Union (SARU) board member Mluleki George has died.

He was 72.

George reportedly died in East London having contracted Covid-19.

READ | SPRINGBOKS TO PLAY BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SERIES IN THE UK?

Mluleki George joined the Africa National Congress (ANC) in 1972.

GEORGE WAS SAFA’S FIRST CHAIRPERSON

In addition to a lengthy list of political positions held, from a sporting perspective, George was president of Border Rugby Union until his arrest in 1976 and his subsequent sentencing of five years on Robben Island in 1978.

Following his release, George was once again elected president of Border Rugby Union from 1986 to 1991.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) was founded in 1991 and for the first year George was selected as its chairperson.

He was a founder member of National Sports Council in 1988 and a founder and executive member of the National Olympic Committee of South Africa in 1989.

MLULEKI GEORGE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE IRB

He was also president of the National Sports Council and United Border Rugby Union from 1991 to 2001 and a vice-president of the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) from 1993 until 1998.

In his most prominent international rugby role, George was a member of the International Rugby Board (IRB) from 1994 to 1997.

George was appointed as a board member of South African Rugby Union in 2003.

RIP in Mluleki George and condolences to his family and friends.