Hoërskool Centurion Mourns Deaths of 2 Former Rugby Players From Class of 2023

• Hoërskool Centurion announced the deaths of former pupils Dawid van Niekerk and Stefan Pieterse, both matriculants of 2023
• The school and its rugby community paid tribute to the two young men, who both represented the Woeries on the rugby field
• Van Niekerk played outside centre for the school's rugby team during his matric year in 2023

Hoërskool Centurion has announced the deaths of two former pupils, Dawid van Niekerk and Stefan Pieterse, both members of the school's Class of 2023.

The school published a message of condolence on social media on Sunday, 30 August, mourning what it described as the loss of two former "Woeries."

"It is with great sadness that Hoërskool Centurion bids farewell to two former Woeries, Dawid van Niekerk and Stefan Pieterse, matriculants of 2023," the school said in its statement, extending its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two young men.

Woerie rugby community pays tribute

Read also

Thomas More College mourns Grade 8 learner Awandiswe Zulu’s death

Beyond the school's broader tribute, the Hoërskool Centurion rugby community also issued a separate statement honouring the pair, both of whom had represented the school on the rugby field during their time as pupils.

"It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to two of our former Woerie Rugby players, Dawid van Niekerk and Stefan Pieterse, who matriculated in 2023," the rugby community said.

As seen in the Facebook post below.

Van Niekerk featured in the school's rugby setup during his matric year, playing at outside centre in 2023.

Centurion community responds

The tributes prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the school and sporting community, with former classmates, teammates and members of the wider Centurion community sharing their remembrances of the two young men online.

The cause of their deaths has not been disclosed.

For Hoërskool Centurion, the loss represents the passing of two former pupils who had remained connected to the school's wider community since completing their final year in 2023. The school reiterated its sympathy to the families, friends and loved ones of both Van Niekerk and Pieterse.

In recent months, the rugby world has been rocked by several tragic incidents. In December 2025, 17-year-old Gqeberha schoolboy Kungawo Booi died after collapsing during a school rugby match. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, the Westering High School player passed away shortly after emergency responders had arrived.

Read also

Hoërskool Lydenburg mourns loss of beloved learner in tribute

The South African rugby community has also recently mourned the passing of flanker Sive Tshaka and former rugby referee Max Baise, who died at the age of 93.

Young rugby star dies

Briefly News previously reported that a 16-year-old rugby player was discovered dead in a canal following a final, emotional exchange with his mother and a confused voice message sent to a friend.

The young star had spent Christmas dinner with his Rugby NoVeGa Under-18 teammates before he left.

Source: Briefly News