Pedrie Wannenburg

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UlsterNo9
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Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by UlsterNo9 »

Tragic news surfacing on social media that Pedrie has passed after being involved in a car accident.

Absolutely awful, I remember him so fondly as a player. Another lost to this world and the Ulster family too soon.

https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/spri ... a-20220423
The South African rugby community mourned another tragic loss of a former Springbok on Saturday morning.

Pedrie Wannenburg, who played 20 Tests but unluckily missed out twice on going to the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, was killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Texas as a high-speed police chase ended in tragic circumstances.

Willem Strauss, president of Wannenburg's former union the Bulls, along with the union confirmed the news.

Former Junior Springbok coach Loffie Eloff, a close confidante of the tough flanker, also expressed his shock.

"I am shattered.. have no words. Just heard that my friend Pedrie Wannenburg passed away in a car accident. His family was in the car with him," said Eloff in a post on social media.

"Devastating news RIP wonderful man."

According to local news station KHOU-11, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a deputy had attempted to pull over a 16-year-old suspect, only for the car to speed away and lead to a chase.

The suspect eventually crashed into the back of Wannenburg's car near an intersection.

Gonzalez further stated that the 41-year-old - along with his son Francois - was flown to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

His wife Evette and daughter Isabelle escaped serious injury.

Wannenburg, who holds the unique distinction of having played 99 consecutive matches for the Bulls between 2002 and 2010, had settled in the USA in 2016, when he became one of the first high-profile South Africans to play on the country's professional circuit when he turned out for the Denver Stampede.

His family then relocated to Austin, where he worked in refrigeration and coached at local club West Houston Lions.
Last edited by UlsterNo9 on Sat Apr 23, 2022 7:55 am, edited 3 times in total.
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StandUp
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by StandUp »

Nooo. What a nightmare. I never knew him personally but I loved watching the man play. A fantastic singing by Ulster.
RIP big man. My thoughts are with your family.
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by Lurgan Lad »

Goodness that is such sad news, thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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Dave
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by Dave »

Very sad news indeed. I can only imagine what his family are going through.

RIP
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BR
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

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:(
Can I come out from behind the sofa yet?
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BR
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by BR »

Came on here to complain about last night's performance,

P3's young son is seriously injured too.
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by Bart S »

Just stunned. Came here as a last minute replacement for Xavier Rush IIRC. Once he got properly going he was a bedrock of the ulster backrow. He was a great player.

Thoughts with the family. Tragic
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by flatpass »

Truly dreadful news. He was a very good player, one of our best overseas signings. More importantly, he was a lovely guy - put some off-field issues at the Bulls behind him and settled well into Ulster on and off the pitch. Thoughts and prayers with his family.
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by justinr73 »

How awful.

Sat there minding his own business with his family, law-abiding, and then….

RIP
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by Dharper »

Absolutely dreadful news, was only thinking last night we could have done with him.
Brilliant player seemed to Really enjoy his time at UR, I hope his family recover from their injuries -simply awful.
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by Hans Indaruck »

Shocking tragic news!! A great guy on and off the pitch. He saved our blushes in the European semi final against Edinburgh in 2012 - he wanted to stay at Ulster but fell foul of D4’s rulings. However all of that pales in this human tragedy - thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP big man!
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ding dong2u
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by ding dong2u »

Very sad news ... did a great job at a difficult time for Ulster ... my condolences to the family ... RIP big lad
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by Rovi Snave »

Truly awful news
Rest in Peace Pedrie
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by big mervyn »

That's tragic news. Very fond memories of Pedrie. He'll always be remembered here as part of that 2012 side. He was good for Ulster and I think Ulster was good for him at that time. Always looked as if he he left everything on the pitch. RIP :red: :salut:
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Re: Pedrie Wannenburg

Post by scrum5 »

Always with us.
In memory of Nevin Spence 1990- 15th Sept. 2012
Axel..... 30 October 1973 - 16 October 2016
Pedrie Wannenburg. 2 January 1981 - 22 April 2022.
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