RIP: South African Rower Kerry Grundlingh Dies in Tragic Cycling Accident in Johannesburg

• South African rower and Princeton student Kerry Grundlingh has died in a car accident in Johannesburg while visiting family
• The 21-year-old was a standout athlete and academic, recently winning gold with Princeton's first varsity eight at the Ivy League Championships
• Tributes have poured in from Princeton University, Rowing South Africa and her former school, St Mary’s Waverley, honouring her legacy and impact

South African rower and Princeton University student Kerry Grundlingh has died in a car accident while visiting Johannesburg, during the U.S. summer break.

Her tragic death was confirmed by both Princeton Athletics and her former high school, St Mary’s School, Waverley, where she matriculated in 2022.

“Kerry lost her life in a cycling accident while visiting family and friends in Johannesburg during the American university summer holidays,” St Mary’s said in a statement.

Grundlingh, 21, was a standout student-athlete at Princeton. In 2024, she was part of the second varsity eight that earned bronze at the Ivy League Championships and placed sixth at the NCAA Championships. This year, she rowed in the first varsity eight, helping Princeton win gold at Ivies and claim victory in the Petite Final at the NCAAs.

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She was a two-time Ivy League medalist and played an instrumental role in Princeton’s open water rowing team. On the national stage, she represented South Africa at the World Rowing Championships, earning widespread respect for her discipline and talent.

Princeton head coach Lori Dauphiny paid tribute to her, saying:

She leaves a legacy of her life lived as a tremendous daughter, sister, friend, and teammate. Kerry consistently gave her best to the betterment of others in every daily interaction. All of us in the Princeton rowing community send our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to her parents, Debbie and Francois, her brother James, and all her family and friends around the globe.”

Rowing South Africa also mourned her loss in a heartfelt Facebook message, saying she had left "an unfilled space in those who had the honour of knowing her."

See the tweet below:

In an email to the university community on Sunday, Dean of Undergraduate Students Regan Crotty ’00 wrote:

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“Our entire community is grieving this tragedy, and our hearts go out to Kerry’s family, loved ones, friends, and teammates on the women’s open rowing team. At difficult times like this, we encourage you to reach out to one another for connection and consolation, and to call on University resources when you need support.”

Which other sporting icons have died in 2025?

Van Jaarsveldt joins the list of South African sports icons who died in 2025, alongside Kaizer Chiefs’ icon Simon ‘Bull’ Lehoko, former Springboks player Cornel Hendricks, former Springboks captain Des van Jaarsveldt and former Orlando Pirates chairman Donald Daniel “DD” Dhliwayo.

Late Joost’s wife pays tribute 8 years after his passing

Briefly News also reported that Amor Vittone recently paid tribute to her late husband, Joost van der Westhuizen, eight years after his death.

Her heartfelt social media post sparked a range of reactions across South Africa as fans and fellow South Africans remembered the rugby legend.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News