Gqeberha police investigating teen's death on school rugby field

As the family of former Cape Town Human Settlements MMC Malusi Booi prepare to lay their son Kungawo Booi to rest, Gqeberha police are investigating circumstances surrounding his premature death.

The 17-year-old Westering High School student collapsed and died on the school's rugby field last week Thursday while practising.

The incident happened a day after SA Rugby announced the standardised age across all youth rugby and amateur rugby structures at which tackling is permitted for young players.

Children under the age of seven will now play only non-contact formats like (Touch and Go) TAG and Touch, with tackling introduced only from the U9 level.

The news of Malusi Booi's son's passing on a rugby field at his high school in Gqeberha, was met with an outpouring of love and support, after his father posted about the incident on social media platform X.

The school held its memorial service this week and is offering counselling and support for the pupils who witnessed the incident. The police's Sandra Janse van Rensburg responded to a distressed call from the school and explained what happened next.

"On arrival they were informed that Kungawo Booi was busy practicing rugby when he was injured. He received medical attention on the scene but passed away."

The compulsory standardised tackle age, which has been widely welcomed, will be implemented from next year.