Grade 12 marker Eastern Cape

A Dale College Boy’s Primary school vehicle carrying a young hockey team was tragically involved in a fatal road accident.

RIP: Homeowner describes ‘tragic situation’ after drowning of Peter de Villiers’ wife

Theresa de Villiers, the wife of former Bok coach Peter de Villiers, was said to have been completing routine housework when she tragically drowned.

Grade 12 marker Eastern Cape

A Dale College Boy’s Primary school vehicle carrying a young hockey team was tragically involved in a fatal road accident.

According to Herald Live, an inquest docket was opened after a woman’s body was found floating in a pool at a house in Gqeberha on Monday, with the body of the deceased identified as 62-year-old Theresa de Villiers.

She was reportedly found by a family member in a house in Fairview around midday and declared dead on the scene by emergency workers.

Theresa de Villiers, 62, who recently arrived in the city from Paarl was said to have been assisting with housework when the tragedy unfolfed.

Although the exact circumstances are still unknown, homeowner Rafiek Hermans – who is also the manager of the EP Elephants – told Herald Live that his mother-in-law had been taking medication, but insisted on helping with some of the household chores.

Hermans said it seemed that Theresa had been busy with the laundry when she fell.

“It is a very tragic situation and we are all still traumatised,” he said.

Police spokesperson captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said no foul play was suspected.

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“The deceased is from Paarl but was visiting family in Gqeberha. She was found in the pool by a family member.

“The circumstances surrounding the drowning is under investigation,” Janse van Rensburg added.

The report further states De Villiers was contacted, but said he was unable to talk about what had happened.

“Thank you for your condolences but I cannot talk right now,” he said when called for comment.

Peter de Villiers coached the Springbok in 48 Tests

De Villiers coached the Springboks from 2008 to 2011, with a controversial defeat to Australia in the World Cup quarter-final coming at the end of his tenure.

While not everyone’s cup of tea while at the helm of the Springboks, under De Villiers’ leadership the national side won 30 of their 48 Tests.

That 62.5% win percentage included a 47% win percentage against the All Blacks, having played them 11 times, winning 5 and losing 6 of those matches.

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Recently, after a brief spell coaching with Eastern Province Rugby, it emerged last year that he was looking to take up a career in politics.

Tragically, the De Villiers’ daughter Odille Monk lost her battle with cancer towards the end of 2019.

According to You magazine, she had eight chemotherapy courses over a period of seven months, followed by 20 radiation sessions, but sadly passed away at the age of just 28.

“It was God’s will,” Peter de Villiers told the magazine.

“It was in His hands I had her for 28 joyous years.

“I choose to live in those 28 years, rather than in the years that might’ve been. She’d fought to the bitter end. I’d never seen anyone fight like that.”

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