A 15-year-old schoolboy rugby player has died after collapsing during a match in Sasolburg, leaving the Free State education community in mourning.

Nhlakanipho ‘Nipho’ Buthelezi, a Grade 9 learner at HTS Sasolburg, collapsed while playing in an under-15 match against Sasolburg High School on Friday.

The game formed part of the long-running schoolboy rugby FNB Classic Clash at DP de Villiers Stadium. The fixture has been a highlight on the local school calendar for around 47 years.

Teen collapses during schoolboy rugby match

According to the Free State Department of Education, Buthelezi experienced breathing difficulties during the match.

Emergency medical personnel responded and rushed him to Sasolburg Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The department said it was shocked by the tragedy.

“We are deeply shocked by the tragic loss of Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, a young life cut short,” said Free State education spokesperson, Howard Ndaba.

“Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and the HTS Sasolburg community.”

The department assured the community that support would be provided to both schools involved in the tournament, as well as the learner’s family.

Tributes pour in for young scrumhalf

HTS Sasolburg confirmed the learner’s death in a post on the school’s Facebook page. The school extended condolences to his parents, family, friends and the wider school community.

Buthelezi’s rugby coach, Thorne Swart, also paid tribute to the young player while sharing a highlights reel of ‘Nipho’ in action.

“You were not the biggest, but we lost a giant of our game. We lost a brother,” he wrote.

Swart described Buthelezi as a determined learner who pushed himself in both academics and sport.

He said the team would honour his memory during the remainder of the schoolboy rugby season.