Wilbur Kraak, rugby analyst, life coach and University of the Western Cape (UWC) professor, passed away over the weekend.
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According to reports, the 40-year-old suffered a stroke on Sunday.
Kraak was the founder of WJK Coaching Consultancy; a researcher at UWC; and a former professor at the University of the Free State.
He also worked for e.tv’s BÔll and Ôll, a weekly rugby talk show, IOL reports. Several tributes have poured in for Kraak on social media.
‘He was a passionate, enthusiastic and eager person who will be really missed and his short time with us will leave a footprint – not only on his students and staff but all that were privileged to have been enriched by his love, energy and presence at UWC,’ says Professor Tyrone Pretorius, UWC rector and vice-chancellor.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and young family at this time.’
Professor Barry Andrews, one of Kraak’s colleagues, says he had a major impact in his short time at the university. ‘During Wilbur’s time at UWC, he became a valued member of staff and a mentor to all of our students.
‘He not only worked well with staff and students at the Sport, Recreation, and Exercise Science Department but also engaged in one of his passions of working and uplifting sports teams.
‘This was achieved in his spare time by volunteering at UWC Sports Administration, assisting with rugby and other high-performance sports.
‘Wilbur excelled in furthering research and education of sport at UWC as he presented at workshops and talks within the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences and internationally under the UWC banner.’
The St Georges Rugby Club says Kraak’s ‘transformative efforts and scientific approaches’ brought fresh perspectives to rugby.
‘Under his exceptional leadership, our club achieved promotion to Super League A encounter competition in 2015, a significant milestone for both our club and community.
‘His contribution extended beyond the field as he introduced groundbreaking techniques such as video analysis and physiotherapy, which have become integral to our game strategy.’
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Picture: Mamre Primary School / Facebook