A former coach of the Bulldogs, Fana was born on 31 March 1980 in Alice in the Eastern Cape before moving north, where he completed his schooling in the Free State and represented the Griffons U18s in 1997.

He progressed through the coaching ranks from schools level and was most recently involved with the University of Fort Hare, where he served as their current Director of Rugby, assisting in getting the UFH Blues to the top of the FNB Varsity Shield this season.

Earlier in his coaching career, Fana also coached Griffons U18s (2008), the UFH team (2009-2013) before taking over the reigns with the Bulldogs (2014-2016). He also coached the Border U21 side, was assistant coach of the SA Students side and worked with former Junior Springbok coach Eric Sauls at the SA U20 side (2008-2011).

“As chairman of the Clubs and District Unions committee, Elliot was instrumental in working with SA Rugby to help turn things around in the Border region, and he worked incredibly hard to serve the rugby community in the Eastern Cape – his death is a terrible loss,” said Mr Alexander.

“He was a great rugby player at age-group level and also excelled at cricket, and after hanging up his boots and bat, he immediately started ploughing back into sport as coach and administrator, working hard at getting the required qualifications that allowed him to make a difference in the lives of many young players.

“Elliot was a visionary coach who worked with Rugby World Cup heroes Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi in their younger days, but he was more than just a coach – he was a very skilled administrator who worked hard with the clubs in Border.

“The rugby community in the Eastern Cape specifically is much poorer today after losing Elliot, a real rugby man, at such a young age. He will leave a big gap in rugby in the Border region and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, family and friends in this very difficult time.”