SA in mourning as Ntunja passes away

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Award-winning rugby commentator and former Junior Springbok captain Kaunda Ntunja has passed away, his family announced on Monday.

The tragic news was confirmed by Ntunja’s sister Tando on social media on Monday morning.

‘It is with deep sadness I confirm the passing of our beloved brother Kaunda Ntunja earlier today in East London, Eastern Cape,’ Tando Ntunja wrote.

‘As you can imagine we are still trying to make sense of this tragic news and we ask for your love, care and discretion as we prepare to lay my big brother to rest.’

Born in East London and raised in King Williams Town, Ntunja played flank for the Dale College 1st XV and represented South Africa at both SA Schools and Junior Springbok levels – captaining a team with the likes of Fourie du Preez, Jean de Villiers and Schalk Brits. Ntunja played his junior rugby for the Sharks before moving to the Cheetahs, winning the Currie Cup with the Free State side in 2005.

Ntunja was considered one of the most animated and popular commentators in South African rugby and became a household name through his work as the anchor of the SuperSport Xhosa commentary team.

He was twice crowned as the SAB Sports Media Awards Commentator of the Year and famously introduced Siya Kolisi for his first official game as Springbok captain against England at Ellis Park in 2018.

ALSO READ: Tribute to Ntunja, a ‘true rugby pioneer’

More to follow …

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images

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