The former Springbok fullback and Northam Rhinos head coach died on Thursday afternoon (11/9) . Fortuin (46) reportedly suffered a heart attack before a Rhinos rugby practice.

Stick said Fortuin was very close to his son, and it is tragic that the many years ahead for them as a family was tragically cut short.

“To lose a father, you know, at the age of 46, it’s very, very sad, and it's very, very heartbreaking to lose a father at a young age. And the only thing I can say for now is to God to protect the family, to protect the wife, to protect the son.”

He began his professional rugby career with the South Western Districts (SWD) Eagles in George before moving to the Cheetahs in 2005. He represented the Bloemfontein-based side for four years in both the Currie Cup and Super Rugby, making 22 appearances between 2006 and 2008.

Fortuin was part of the history-making Cheetahs team that won the 2005 Currie Cup title after famously beating the Bulls 29-25 at Loftus Versfeld – only their second-ever championship.

He also scored a try in that famous final. A year later, he lifted the Currie Cup again when the Cheetahs shared the title with the Bulls after a dramatic 28-28 draw in Bloemfontein.

He also earned his Springbok debut against Ireland in 2006. His only other Test appearance came the following year against the Wallabies in the then Tri-Nations. In 2015, he moved to Pretoria, where he took charge of the Northam Rhinos club side, a position he held until his death.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg