Coetzee, who was born on 20 January 1945, made his international debut against the British & Irish Lions in Cape Town in 1974 at the age of 29, and played in a total of six Tests until 1976, when he started in all four Tests against the All Blacks on their tour of South Africa.

Rated as one of the best fetchers of his time, Coetzee was a stalwart of Stellenbosch University, and he played in 127 matches for DHL Western Province between 1967 to 1979. He also represented the Junior Springboks, SA XV, Gazelles and SA Universities.

“To lose a member of the South African rugby family is never easy and Jan Boland’s passing is indeed a very sad day for us all,” said Mr Alexander.

“He was much more than a hard-working flanker and a legend of Western Province rugby, Jan Boland was a gentleman whose grace, humility and quiet strength left an indelible mark.

“Off the pitch, his life was rich and varied. After retiring from rugby, he became a successful winemaker and leaves behind a legacy of excellence in the wine industry.

“He was recognised not just for his technical and entrepreneurial achievements, but for his generosity, especially in sharing knowledge and uplifting those around him, and he also very passionate about support for workers in the agricultural sector.

“Above all, Jan Boland embodied values we all hold dear: humility, perseverance, and respect. He served his community and his craft, and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who experienced his kindness and inspiration – may you find solace in the memories of a great man.”