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Rugby legend and well-known wine maker, Jan Boland Coetzee passes away at the age of 80.
Legendary Springbok flank and renowned winemaker, Jan Boland Coetzee, has passed away after battling ill health for quite some time.
He was 80 years old.
Coetzee, who was born in Porterville in the Western Cape, made six appearances for the Springboks between 1974 and 1976 and represented Western Province in 127 matches between 1967 and 1979.
He later made his name as a farmer and winemaker, first at Kanonkop in Stellenbosch and later at Vriesenhof, which his family called home for many years
Coetzee was instrumental in establishing the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties in South Africa.
His family will announce details of his funeral service at a later stage.
SA Rugby president, Mr Mark Alexander, expressed condolences to the family and friends of former #Springboks flanker Jan Boland Coetzee, who passed away early on Friday – more here: 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/PbOEKhQWMy
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 12, 2025