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) July 10, 2019

Just heard the sad news about the ex @Springboks winger James Small who passed away today? really sad! Rip big man! — Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) July 10, 2019

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) July 10, 2019

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 @Springboks between 1992 and 1997#ripjamessmall 50 is very very young. pic.twitter.com/hP4RQSaHIB — Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) July 10, 2019

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) July 10, 2019

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) July 10, 2019

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) July 10, 2019

Terrible news about James Small. World Cup hero. Rebel. One of the most interesting people I’ve ever known. RIP brother. — Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) July 10, 2019

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 @Springboks @ pic.twitter.com/5eKrg8LVw1

— Jandre Moolman (@Jandre_Moolman) July 10, 2019

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 #RIP — Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) July 10, 2019

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. #RIPJamesSmall pic.twitter.com/Xf93YSMEkE

— SuperSport ⚽️? (@SuperSportTV) July 10, 2019

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. #RIPJamesSmall — Elma Smit (@Elmakapelma) July 10, 2019

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) July 10, 2019

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) July 10, 2019

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

— Udo Carelse (@udocarelsesa) July 10, 2019

#RIP James Small..Original bad boy of rugby who talked the talk and walked the walk. — Craig Ray (@craigray11) July 10, 2019

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) July 10, 2019

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