RIP Lourens (LM) Smit – Bulls
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Loading...The Blue Bulls Rugby Union is sad to hear of the passing of LM Smit, who died in his sleep in Middelburg on Monday.
Smit died weeks before his 102nd birthday on 31 December and in life was the oldest Northern Transvaal player, having represented the union in 1938, its foundation year. He played for Harlequins and represented Transvaal before the split. In the end he played in ten matches between 1938-1942, most at prop but some at flank as well.
The CEO of the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd, Mr Barend van Graan and the president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, Mr Gert Wessels extended condolences to the Smit family.
“I would like to offer our sympathy and condolences to the family on behalf of our board and chairman, Mr John Newbury.
Wessels applauded Smit’s contribution to the union.
“He was one of our first provincial players and we would like to acknowledge his contribution,” Wessels said.
“The Blue Bulls are sad as we have lost one of our elders.”
Smit leave four sons, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be confirmed later in the week.
RIV Lourens (LM) Smit:
Die Blou Bulle Rugbyunie het met leedwese verneem van die afsterwe van sy oudste speler, Lourens (LM) Smit, wat vroeg Maandag in Middelburg in sy slaap oorlede is.
Smit, wat op 31 Desember 102 jaar oud sou wees, was ‘n speler in die heel eerste Noord-Transvaal span van 1938. Hy het stut en flank en het 10 keer vanaf 1938 tot 1942 vir die span uitgedraf. Hy was ‘n lid van Harlequins en het ook vir Transvaal gespeel voordat daar afgestig is.
Die uitvoerende hoof van die Blou Bulle Maatskappy (Edms) Bpk, Barend van Graan, en die president van die Blou Bulle Rugbyunie, mnr. Gert Wessels, het albei hul medelye aan die gesin van ‘oom LM’ uitgespreek.
“Ek wil namens die direksie by monde van voorsitter John Newbury en die hele rugbyfamilie hulde bring aan een van ons eerste provinsiale spelers,” het Van Graan gesê.
Volgens Wessels was Smit ‘n ware fakkeldraer.
“Die Blou Bulle het hom in 2013, toe hy 100 geword het, ‘n spesiale gelukwensing gestuur. Oom LM was ‘n trotse Blou Bul en ons is trots om hom een van ons te kon noem. Die Blou Bul-familie treur, want ons het een van ons grotes verloor,” het Wessels gesê..
Smit laat vier seuns, ses kleinkinders en twee agterkleinkinders na.
Begrafnisreelings sal later gefinaliseer word.
Courtesy of Bulls
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