Ex-Bok Gawie dies after battle with cancer

FORMER Springbok utility back Gabriel Pieter (Gawie) Visagie (59), died in a Durban hospital yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Born in Vereeniging, Visagie played in three matches for the Springboks during the 1981 tour to New Zealand and the US – two of them at scrumhalf and one at centre. Visagie made his Springbok debut on August 22, 1981 against Nelson Bays in Nelson, New Zealand and played his last game against Midwest in Wisconsin, US a month later. Early in his career, he was also a star for Ammosal Rugby Club and Griquas, representing them 39 times from 1977 to 1980. He then moved to Durban where he played for Durban Collegians and Natal. Visagie represented Natal in 42 matches from 1981 to 1985. He was nominated for SA Rugby Young Player of the Year in 1979. His older brother Piet Visagie played 25 Tests for the Boks at flyhalf.