Ireland Rugby and Munster have paid tribute to coach and former Scotland scrumhalf Greig Oliver, who passed away on Monday following a paragliding accident in Cape Town.
Oliver, who served as Munster’s elite performance officer, was in Cape Town to support his son Jack, who is part of Ireland’s U20 team competing at the World U20 Championship.
The National Sea Rescue Institute reported a tandem paraglider accident in Sea Point, involving a 58-year-old Irish man.
According to the NSRI’s report, it appears that two tandem paragliders collided in the air above the Sea Point promenade. While the one tandem paraglider landed safely and without injuries, the second tandem paraglider deployed a parachute and landed approximately 200-300 metres off-shore.
While the NSRI rescue swimmers were able to free the tandem passenger from the paragliding gear and perform CPR, he was declared deceased by paramedics.
Munster Rugby and the IRFU have both stated that they are liaising directly with Oliver’s family, providing them with support during this time.
“On behalf of Munster Rugby, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to Greig’s wife Fiona, son Jack, daughter Ciara, and the wider Oliver family,” Munster’s CEO Ian Flanagan said
“We are all in a state of shock following Greig’s tragic passing. He was a great colleague and friend to so many and will be dearly missed across the Munster and Irish Rugby community.
“Greig made his presence felt each day, he was always there to provide a helping hand and was a hugely popular character with his light-hearted nature and sense of humour.
“He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was incredibly passionate about helping young players be the best they can be on and off the field.
“May he rest in peace.”
Oliver featured in two World Cups for Scotland in 1987 and 1991. After retirement, he held academy coaching roles in Scotland, before moving to Ireland in 2007. He was appointed as Munster’s elite performance officer in 2011 and also held the position of Ireland’s U20 assistant coach between 2011 and 2014.
Ireland’s U20 side is set to play Fiji in the final round of fixtures in Stellenbosch on Tuesday afternoon. A moment of silence will be observed across all of Tuesday’s U20 matches.
Photo: LASZLO GECZO/INPHO