10 July 2019, by: Carl Lewis

RIP JAMES SMALL – TWITTER REACTS

Former Springbok wing James Small passed away on 10 July 2019 after succumbing to a heart attack.

Small was capped 47 times for the Springboks and scored 20 tries. Before he was overtaken by Joost van der Westhuizen and Bryan Habana, Small was the all-time leading try scorer for South Africa.

Small was also part of the Springbok 1995 World Cup winning squad where he famously marked Jonah Lomu in the final.

He made his international debut against the All Blacks in 1992. He played his final Test against Scotland in 1997 where he scored his 20th try eclipsing Danie Gerber’s record.

The winger also gained notoriety for his bad-boy image on and off the field. He was the first Springbok to ever be sent off in a match.

I’m shocked and v saddened to hear about James Small. Not the easiest oke to ref on the field but one of the kindest off it. Amazing self belief and always keen to challenge, its probably what made him special. A hero, a great Bok, a friend.. RIP Bro. You made the most of life!

— Jonathan Kaplan (@RefJK)

Just heard the sad news about the ex winger James Small who passed away today? really sad! Rip big man! — Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru)

Stunned by the passing of James Small. Got to know him down the years through Pirates. He was a rock ‘n roll man and player with an enormous heart. We had some good chats at Pirates. He never held back, never bit his tongue.
RIP James. You gave us 1995.

— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum)

So sad to hear that James Small has died at the age of 50. The “bad boy” of rugby was part of the ’95 World Cup winning team and played 47 Tests for between 1992 and 1997 50 is very very young. — Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta)

RIP James Small, 50, the sometimes troubled Springbok who tenaciously marked Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final. He is the third of that famous Bok XV at Ellis Park to leave us, after Joost vd Westhuizen and Ruben Kruger.

— Rob Houwing (@RobHouwing)

James Small. Maverick. Champion. Fighter. Legend. The game that’s played in heaven just got a helluva wing man. Rest in peace, big guy. — Clinton van der Berg (@ClintonV)

Rest in peace, James Small.
Never dull on the field, and even more entertaining to interview.
Go on and tackle Big Jonah in the next life.

— Lungani Zama (@whamzam17)

Terrible news about James Small. World Cup hero. Rebel. One of the most interesting people I’ve ever known. RIP brother. — Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel)

Remembering backyard rugby when everyone wanted to be this legend. Like everyone you werent perfect, but you inspired a generation and gave back to the game. RIP James Small @

— Jandre Moolman (@Jandre_Moolman)

Very sad news about James Small. 50 is way too young to be gone. Best remembered for the 1995 World Cup and 1997 Lions tour where he indulged in forthright sledging with John Bentley — Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones)

James Small, one of the heroes of SA’s first Rugby World Cup triumph, has died of an apparent heart attack.
The famous Springbok will go down in lore for his fighting spirit and great attacking instinct. 

— SuperSport ⚽️? (@SuperSportTV)

I remember playing touch rugby in break times in primary school in the late 90s and the boys all fighting over who gets to “be” James Small… He certainly captivated the imagination of a generation of kids – like me – for whom RWC ’95 was a formative experience. — Elma Smit (@Elmakapelma)

Eish, I remember watching James Small in his Lions debut back in ’88 at fullback. He was only 19 years old then, but made a huge impact.

— Jacques Maree (@JacquesMaree73)

Shocked to hear about James Small’s death. He was my big hero as a kid, growing up in Natal. Will never forget riding from Westville to Pinetown on my bike to get his autograph at a shopping centre. — Simon Borchardt (@SimonBorchardt)

a big ball of energy is no more. You brightened up the set during the in 2015 on We did not always agree but you enriched the conversation. Salute my guy, salute.

— Udo Carelse (@udocarelsesa)

James Small..Original bad boy of rugby who talked the talk and walked the walk. — Craig Ray (@craigray11)

Whhhaaaat?! James Small has perished?! Heartbreak city ??? when I first got my head around rugby, he was one of my favourites… That bad boy, devil-may-care attitude was tops!

— Kabelo (@KbzFire)

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