Free State Rugby mourns the passing of a former player and coach Nic Bojé, who lost his battle against cancer this morning.

Bojé represented the Free State in 15 matches between 1965 and 1970. He was also a Springbok selector and the first SA u.21 coach in 1974.

He was a member of the first grandfather (Jan-Pen Fourie - 1927; 1929 - father of his wife, Chrissie); father- (himself: Nic - 1965-’70) and son/grandson combination (Louis Bojé: 1990) in Free State rugby who all played flyhalf for the University of the Free State and the Free State.

Nic's son, Nicky, is the former Protea cricket captain and vice-captain, who also played Free State schools cricket and rugby.

"I knew Nic Boje very well. We played together for the Shimlas in a few matches, but after that, he was also the coach of the Free State team when I became President in 1993, " says Harold Verster, Managing Director of the Free State Cheetahs.

"Nic Boje was a wonderful, gentle, friendly and engaging person. He had a pleasant personality and people were attracted to him. "

"He was an excellent rugby player and at flyhalf, he played in big matches for Shimlas and Free State. We enjoy good times as colleagues at the university and I will always remember him as a true gentleman with a soft and friendly heart who reached out to people to assist where he could. ”

"We will miss Nic Bojé a lot but we will remember him forever for the wonderful man he was."

Our condolences go out to his family and friends.