Death of legendary coach, player
THE rugby fraternity is mourning following the loss of former Eastern Province and Springbok prop Bill Cunningham, who died on Tuesday aged 88.
Cunningham enjoyed a long career, serving rugby as a player, administrator and coach. He was also well-known in scouting circles and he and his wife, Sheila, both became commissioners.
He also represented Eastern Province at baseball.
In 1955, Cunningham played in the Springbok trials. By all accounts he was a stand-out player, but was then surprisingly left out of the team to tour New Zealand.
It was also known that he was the first replacement as a non-travelling reserve for that tour but, when Basie van Wyk broke his leg in a tour match, again the authorities sprang a surprise and sent James Stark ahead of Cunningham.
“The whole of South Africa thought Bill was going to be sent over. It was a shock when he was not called up,” Olympics RFC clubmate and former Eastern Province coach Stan Terblanche said yesterday.
But when the Boks came back from that tour they played against the Rest of South Africa. Cunningham was picked for the Bok team and played against the Rest of South Africa.
On that basis, he was awarded his Bok colours even though he had never played against a foreign team.
“He was definitely a legend, not only in the sporting world but also in the Eastern Cape community,” Terblanche, a former Herald sports editor, said.
“As a player he gave everything to South Africa and EP, and then continued as an administrator.
“He coached the Blues team that shared the Grand Challenge trophy with Park in 1968.
“He did it for the love of the game, there was no money involved. He coached at schools and also in the townships. I remember him coaching the Saru Black XV in the ’70s.
“He was in the EP team which beat the British Lions 20-0 in 1955. Derek Staples is now the only remaining member of that team.”
He was married for 64 years and worked at General Motors for 47 years.
Cunningham is survived by his wife Sheila, sons Mike and Peter, and daughter Debbie.
His funeral will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church in Westbourne Road at 3pm on Tuesday.