The Queensland Rugby community is mourning the loss of South African Rugby stalwart Hentie Serfontein. Hentie passed away on the 25th of April after he suffered a stroke the day previous.
Born on the 14th of May 1939, Hentie served as president of the Bulls from 1990 to 1997 after previously serving as deputy president for five years.
Hentie went on to manage South African Rugby and represented the nation on the International Rugby Board, now World Rugby.
He played a crucial role in the entry of South African teams into Super Rugby in 1993, with his management helping the nation to return to the professional Rugby ranks.
His relationship with Queensland Rugby Union is also an important one, as Hentie assisted in organising for his Bulls team to travel to Brisbane to play the first match under lights at Ballymore Stadium in 1994.
Dick McGurther, who was QRU Chairman at the time, remembers Hentie fondly.
“He was a good friend of Queensland Rugby,” McGurther said.
“He was a forward-thinking man and he was a good Rugby man.
“South Africa had been in isolation for 20 years and he made sure that provicinal players in the country received the opportunity to play Rugby.”
Hentie has left an immense mark on South African, Queensland, and world Rugby alike, and his contribution will not be forgotten.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the wider South African Rugby Community.
