A ‘LEGEND’ HAS FALLEN - ‘Giant of a young man’ collapses and dies at a rugby camp

A Kuils River family is shattered after the sudden passing of their son, who collapsed and passed away while at rugby training on 7 February 2026.

Joshua Afrika, 24, was a God-fearing young man who was engaged to be married, with his whole life ahead of him.

He was part of the youth leadership at his church, a drummer in the church choir, a passionate rugby player at Brackenfell Rugby Club.

Joshua had a love for his community through coaching the Under 19 rugby team at his former school, De Kuilen High School, and ploughing back into the rugby community.

He was busy with his second-year studies in Sport Science at ETA College in Stellenbosch.

His untimely death sparked an outpouring of grief from the circles he moved in. 

Brackenfell Rugby Football Club wrote in a Facebook post: “Joshua was part of our elite squad and attended the recent team-building weekend. He was a young man of great character, commitment, and promise. 

“Joshua will be remembered not only for his involvement in the club, but for the person he was and the impact he had on those around him.”

Ahead of a memorial service for him at Cape Town Christian Fellowship, their account posted: “[We mourn] the loss of a vibrant soul, son, brother, friend, a gifted musician, coach, rugby player and youth leader - Joshua Afrika. Joshua didn’t just play the drums; he served The Lord with every beat.”

His father Elroy Afrika said the family is battling to come to terms with his sudden passing. 

The hartseer dad told the Daily Voice: “It is extremely tough, but we are managing to get through one day and one moment at a time and just holding onto God’s love and grace towards us. 

“We are embracing the fact that we had the wonderful opportunity to raise such a remarkably brilliant son. It is an absolute void that is left beyond any words.

“They were on a training camp in Riebeek-Kasteel for a weekend, and when they went onto the field for a training session in the afternoon of 7 February 2026, he just collapsed. 

“There is no indication of what went wrong yet. The autopsy was completed, which revealed that all his organs are in a very healthy state. So they now have to do microscopic analysis to understand if there was anything wrong and determine what could have been the cause.

Elroy, who speaks very highly of his son, said that Joshua was referred to as a ‘legend’ by many.

He added: “Joshua loved being at home with family and being amongst loved ones. 

“I think he would’ve, of course, moved out when he got married. 

“People who encountered Joshua and his character always validated him as a legend, and he always used to say to us, ‘I am legend’. He was a giant of a young man.”

A BackaBuddy account has been created by Joshua’s friends in hopes of raising R30 000 to try and assist the family with financial aid to be used as it is required.

To donate the link is https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/honoring-the-life-of-joshua-afrika